Battery Laval
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Battery Laval (1897-1920) - Battery Jacint Laval was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Crockett, Texas. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Col. Jacint Laval, 1st U.S. Dragoons, veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Battery construction started 9 Jan 1899, was completed 8 Sep 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use at a cost of $ 29,069.32. This battery survived the 1900 hurricane but required repair and restoration work, reactivated 21 Aug 1911 along with all the other Galveston batteries. Deactivated in 1920.
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Battery Laval History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Galveston.
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI Driggs-Seabury rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 masking parapet mounts. The battery was completed and the guns and carriages awaiting installation when the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 struck. The battery survived the hurricane but was left sitting exposed on it's pilings. The battery was repaired and restored but not accepted until 21 Aug 1911, after Fort Crockett was re-garrisoned.
| Empl. No. | Caliber Type | Barrel Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 38 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet Barbette, M1898, #38, Driggs-Seabury | 1897-1946 | See note 1 |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 37 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet Barbette, M1898, #37, Driggs-Seabury | 1897-1946 | See note 1 |
| Source: RCW Form 1,....., Coastal Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages ..... Note 1: Guns were transferred to Watervliet 28 Aug 1920, Carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920, CDSG gun card collection from NARA | ||||||||
World War I
At the end of World War I a general disarmament of some types of obsolete coastal defense batteries took place and Battery Laval was a part of that disarmament. The gun tubes were ordered removed by the A.G.O. on 27 Mar 1920 and they were transferred to Watervliet 28 Aug 1920. The carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920.
Current Status
The battery itself is a part of the Gaveston seawall with the upper level gun platforms visible. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Crockett, Texas Maps & Images Lat: 29.2727641 Long: -94.8146591
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Visited: 12 Nov 2009
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