Battery Lowell

Battery Lowell (1900-1920) - Battery Lowell was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Warren, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Brigadier General Charles William Lowell, formerly colonel, 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, and who was mortally wounded at Halltown, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, on 26 Aug 1864, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 12 Jun 1900 at a cost of $ 12,750.00. Deactivated in 1920. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant. This battery is located outside the walls of old Fort Warren at the south end of George's Island. Battery Lowell Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 31 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #31, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 32 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #32, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 1 3 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 33 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #33, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1921, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 14 Jul 1920, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Lowell Plan World War I (1917-1918) The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Lowell were not affected by the World War I redistribution but were declared obsolete in the following 1920 disarmament program. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 14 Jul 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. Current Status Part of Fort Warren State Park on George's Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. No period guns or mounts in place. This battery is open to public access in the magazines and the gun emplacements. Transportation to the Island is by boat. See the Fort Warren page for island access details. Location: Fort Warren, George's Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.317815 Long: -70.928098 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 25.9' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 24 May 2012