Battery Terrett

Battery Terrett (1901-1923) - Battery Terrett was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Gaines (1), Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Alabama. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, after 1st Lt. John C. Terrett, 1st U.S. Infantry, who was killed 21 Sep 1846 at the battle of Monterey, Mexico during the Mexican-American War. Battery construction on the original two gun emplacements started in 1900, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 20 May 1901 at a cost of $ 6,500.00. Construction on the third emplacement began in 1902, was completed in 1904 and was accepted for service 28 Apr 1904 at a cost of $ 6,965.11. Battery deactivated in 1923. Looking at Battery Terrett from the northwest side with Fort Gaines (1) Alabama in the background Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Mobile, Alabama. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mounts. A third emplacement was built for another M1898MI mounted on an M1903 carriage. The addition of the third emplacement resulted in a renumbering of the emplacements, the new emplacement became #1 and the original two emplacements became #2 and #3. This is a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines below. No shell or powder hoist are provided because of the light weight ammunition. Electric power was provided by Battery Stanton. The third gun emplacement to be built was completed in 1904 but the mount for that gun did not arrive until 19 Feb 1912. That gun and its mount were transferred to Fort Moultrie on 19 May 1923. Battery Terrett Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 13 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #65, Driggs-Seabury 1912-1923 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 118 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #118, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 2 3 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 119 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #119, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, Jan 1924, RCB, 10 Oct 1904, 31 Dec 1907, 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, 74-75, 212 Note 1: Mount transferred from Watertown 19 Feb 1912. Gun and mount transferred to Fort Moultrie on 19 May 1923. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred to Watervliet Arsenal 3 Jul 1920. Mounts ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Terrett 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. None of the guns at Battery Terrett were caught in the World War I redistribution but the two original M1898MI guns were caught in the 1920 Disarmament program and were transferred to Watervliet Arsenal 3 Jul 1920. Both the original carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. The third gun and carriage were transferred to Fort Moultrie on 19 May 1923. Current Status Fort Gaines Historical Site maintained by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Gaines Historic Site, Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.249573 Long: -88.075472 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: #1 16.94', #2 16.52', #3 16.83' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 23 Dec 2011, 10 Dec 2009 Battery Terrett Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! Battery Terrett from the northwest side looking towards the junction of Mobile bay and gulf Detail of the western or right hand gun position at Battery Terrett Close up of junction of roof and wall inside magazine showing the lead shielding that once covered the overhead Looking out of room on the far eastern end of Battery Terrett Looking from inside center enclosure towards the east end Inside the Ammo Magazine of Battery Terrett, notice the remains of the lead sheeting that lined the roof and the special brick that is lining the outer walls.