Battery Armistead (2)

Battery Armistead (2) (1942-1943) - Battery Armistead (2) was a reinforced concrete, World War II 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Varnum, Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was originally located on Fort Kearny (3) and named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Lewis G.A. Armistead, who was killed in action at Fort Erie, Upper Canada, September 1814, during the War of 1812. The new battery construction started 18 Apr 1942, was completed 15 Jul 1942 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 29 Aug 1942 at a cost of $ 22,185.00. The guns and carriages were transferred from the old battery to the new battery in 1942. Deactivated in 1943. Fort Varnum, Battery Armistead Emplacement #1, Fire Control Cottage 1-D in Background World War II Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay. Originally built as a World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages. The guns and carriages were transferred from Fort Kearny (3), Battery Armistead (1) in 1942. Apparently the guns did not arrive in serviceable condition because the commander requested that they be scrapped. That request was denied and the guns and carriages were placed in storage at the beginning of 1943. A separate magazine and B.C./C.R.F. station was built about 300' southwest of the gun emplacements and accepted for service in August 1942 at a cost of $2,440.00. Construction began on Battery AMTB 921 right in front of Battery Armistead on 1 Apr 1943 and was completed on 22 Jul 1943. Battery Armistead was probably deactivated at some point during the construction of, or at the completion of Battery AMTB 921. The guns and carriages were authorized to be stored on 25 Feb 1943. Battery Armistead (2) Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 170" M1903 42 Watervliet Barbette, M1903, #33, American & British 1942-1943 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 170" M1903 44 Watervliet Barbette, M1903, #34, American & British 1942-1942 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Dec 1942, 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 74-75, 205 Note 1: Gun and carriage processed for salvage 27 Mar 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun rendered unserviceable at Fort Kearny (3) and salvaged 14 Dec 1942, carriage processed for salvage 27 Mar 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Fort Varnum, Battery Armistead Plan Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. The magazine and concrete gun platforms remain. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Varnum, Washington County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.447013 Long: -71.432698 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 18.83', Gun #2= 18.82' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Narragansett Bay, (HDNARB-AP-45), 1 Feb 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: No