Battery Ward

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Battery Ward (1899-1939) - Battery Ward was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Major General Artmas Ward, Continental Army, who served during the Revolutionary War and who died 30 Oct 1800, at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Battery construction started in 1893, was completed 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 21 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 336,632.73 (including $ 66,997.00 for later modernization, cost includes Battery Hitchcock). Deactivated in 1939.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1888MI guns mounted on M1894 Disappearing 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 two Taylor-Raymond front delivery shell hoists. Two Type C powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant and the central power plant.

Battery Ward Armament (edit list)
Empl
No
Caliber
Type
Barrel
Length
Model Serial
No
Manufacturer Carriage Service
Dates
Notes
1 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MI 27 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894, #30, Watertown 1899-1939 See note 1
2 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MI 39 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894, #31, Watertown 1899-1939 See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Apr 1926, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-123
Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 4 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA
Battery Ward 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. Both of the guns of Battery Strong were listed to be dismounted for service abroad but were later listed to be remounted and retained.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Hitchcock was obsolete at the beginning of World War II and the guns and carriages were ordered scrapped on 4 Nov 1942.

Current Status

Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place.


Location: Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Maps & Images

Lat: 42.329683 Long: -70.955157

  • Multi Maps from ACME
  • Maps from Bing
  • Maps from Google
  • Elevation: Gun #1= 98.7', Gun #2= 107.0'

Sources:

  • U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

Visited: No



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