Battery Zook

Battery Zook (1908-1917) - Battery Zook was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wetherill, Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Major General Samuel K. Zook, U.S. Volunteers (Brigadier General U.S. Volunteers), who died 3 Jul 1863 of wounds received in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 2 Jul 1863, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in May 1903, was completed in November 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 81,475.00. Deactivated in 1917. Fort Wetherill, Battery Zook Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Disappearing carriages. This was a single level battery with the guns mounted on raised platforms accessed by stairs and two magazines adjacent to the gun platforms. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by an emplacement power plant. Battery Wheaton, Battery Walbach, Battery Dickenson, Battery Zook, and Battery Crittenden were all accepted for service on the same day, 7 May 1908. Battery Zook Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 29 Watervliet Disappearing, M1903, #18, Morgan 1908-1917 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 4 Watervliet Disappearing, M1903, #17, Morgan 1908-1917 See note 1 3 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 2 Watervliet Disappearing, M1903, #15, Morgan 1908-1917 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Oct 1924, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, Coast 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 98-99, 205 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 27 Nov 1917, carriages ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Zook Plan World War I 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. On 24 Aug 1917 the guns of Battery Zook were ordered dismounted for use abroad. The guns were transferred to Watervliet 27 Nov 1917. The carriages were ordered scrapped 26 May 1920 as a part of the 1920 disarmament program. Current Status Part of Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, Conanicut Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, Conanicut Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. Maps & Images Lat: 41.478449 Long: -71.366351 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 69.5' to the gun platform. See Also: Fort Wetherill Endicott Period Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay 1920 Disarmament Program Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Narragansett Bay, (HDNARB-AP-45), 1 Feb 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: No