Battery Marcy

Battery Marcy (1906-1917) - Battery Marcy was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. MG Randolph B. Marcy, U.S. Volunteers (BG, Inspector General U.S. Army), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 22 Nov 1887. Battery construction started in July 1903, was completed in March 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 4 Apr 1906 at a cost of $ 50,000.00. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Disappearing carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns mounted on two elevated loading platform and the magazine between the two gun emplacements. No powder or shell hoists provided. Electrical power furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Butterfield.

Battery Marcy Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		31	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #35, Wellman	1906-1917	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		41	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #36, Wellman	1906-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1926, RCB, 31 Dec 1910, 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: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Marcy 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 of Battery Marcy were ordered dismounted for service abroad on 24 Aug 1917. The guns were transferred to Watervliet for modification on 19 Nov 1917. Both guns ended up in France and were returned to the United States after the war. The carriages were ordered scrapped 26 May 1920.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

Context

Location: Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York
Lat: 41.254° Long: -72.028° Bing, Google, OldMapsOnline, USGS, OHM

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Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Related:
Battery Butterfield, CDSG, CDSG Gun Card Collection, Coastal Battery Gun List, Endicott Period, Fort H.G. Wright, HD Long Island Sound Endicott Period Batteries, NARA, U.S. Civil War, World War I, Randolph B. Marcy,