Battery Lytle

Battery Lytle (1904-1945) - Battery William Lytle was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Stark, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Brigadier General William H. Lytle, U.S. Volunteers, who died 20 Sep 1863, of wounds received in action at Chickamauga, Georgia, 19 Sep 1863, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 3 Apr 1905 at a cost of $ 26,955.20 (this cost includes cost of Battery Hays). Deactivated in 1945. Battery Lytle Emplacement #2 Battery Lytle Emplacement #1 Battery Lytle Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Battery Lytle Magazine Interior Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Pedestal mounts. 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 emplacement power plant in Battery Hunter (2). Battery Lytle Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 39 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #39, Bethlehem 1905-1945 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 40 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #40, Bethlehem 1905-1945 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 31 may 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73 Note 1: Guns and carriages processed for salvage 18 Oct 1945. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Lytle 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 Lytle were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Lytle was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on 18 Oct 1945. Current Status Part of Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Maps & Images Lat: 43.056765 Long: -70.713517 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 31.901.' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: 7 Jun 2012 Battery Lytle Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!