Battery Arnold

Battery Arnold (1899-1943) - Battery Arnold was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mott, New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, after Ltc. Lewis G. Arnold (Cullum 900), 2nd U.S. Artillery, BG U.S. Volunteers, who served with distinction in the Florida Indian Wars and the U.S. Civil War, and who died 22 Sep 1871 at South Boston, Massachusetts. Battery construction started on 5 Mar 1896, was completed on 16 Jun 1898 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 6 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 268,351.93 (cost for both Battery Harker and Battery Arnold). Deactivated in 1943. Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Gun Emplacement #1 Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Under Repair Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Gun Emplacement #1 Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888 guns and one 12" M1888MII gun all mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. The three gun emplacements of this battery were built together with the three 10" gun emplacements of Battery Harker as one large battery. Battery Arnold was a two-story battery with the guns on the upper level and a magazine for each gun on the lower level. Three Taylor-Raymond back delivery projectile hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. The shell hoists were transferred for use on 27 May 1907. No powder hoists installed. Electric power for the battery was furnished by an internal power plant. Battery Arnold Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 12" Rifle 440" M1888 12 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #1, Watertown 1899-1943 See note 1 Mtd 1 Jun 1898 1 12" Rifle 440" M1888 8 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #2, Watertown 1899-1943 See note 1 Mtd 1 Mar 1898 1 12" Rifle 440" M1888MII 33 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #4, Watertown 1899-1943 See note 1 Mtd 14 Jun 1898 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1922, 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 138-139, 208 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 9 Dec 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Arnold 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. The gun tubes of Battery Arnold were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program. World War II The abandonment of Battery Arnold was authorized 31 Aug 1943 and the guns and carriages of Battery Arnold were ordered salvaged 9 Dec 1943. Current Status Part of Fort Mott State Park. No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Mott, Salem County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 39.6039275 Long: -75.5529892 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 34.98' Sources: Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: 6 Aug 2010