Battery Elder

Battery Elder (1904-1942) - Battery Samuel Elder was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort DuPont (1), Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Ltc. Samuel S. Elder, U.S. Army (Maj, 2nd U.S. Artillery), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 6 Apr 1885. Battery construction started 23 Mar 1903, was completed March 1904 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 4 Mar 1904 at a cost of $ 18,383.36. Guns and carriages removed in 1942.

Fort DuPont, Battery Elder Gun Emplacement #2	Fort DuPont, Battery Elder Magazines
Fort DuPont, Battery Elder

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two magazines located in the lower level. Ammunition was hand carried from the magazine level to the gun loading level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power for lighting was provided from Battery Best.

The carriages were not transferred from Watertown to Battery Elder until 6 May 1909 and the gun tubes were not mounted until March 1910.

Battery Elder Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	169.92"	M1903		77	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #61, Watertown	1910-1942	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	169.92"	M1903		80	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #62, Watertown	1910-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1922, CDSG, 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, 208 Note 1: Carriages transferred from Watertown 6 May 1909. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Elder 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. Battery Elder was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

Guns and carriages moved to Battery Liston, Liston Front Range Reservation , Bayview, Delaware, 11 may 1942 as temporary protection against Motor Torpedo Boats for the Reedy Island Navy Boom.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort DuPont, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.5712082 Long: -75.5785963 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=26.94', Gun #2=26.60'

Recent Blog Posts:

• Fort Mott, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont on the Delaware River

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

Visited: 6 Aug 2010

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