Battery Ransom

Battery Ransom (1899-1917) - Battery Ransom was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Jackson (2), Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, after Colonel Truman B. Ransom, 9th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 13 Sep 1847 at the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico. Battery construction started on 26 Mar 1898, was completed in Oct 1899, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 25 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 150,000.00. Deactivated in 1917. Battery Ransom Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of the Mississippi. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 8" M1888MII guns mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. The battery was built inside the old Third System fort over the location of the original citadel. Battery Ransom Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 8" Rifle 278.5" M1888MII 9 Bethlehem Disappearing, M1896, #11, Watertown 1899-1917 See note 1 2 8" Rifle 278.5" M1888MII 8 Bethlehem Disappearing, M1896, #9, Watertown 1899-1917 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 26 Mar 1919, 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 110-111, 213 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 21 Dec 1917, Carriages scrapped May 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Ransom Plan World War I (1917-1918) 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 Battery Ransom's two 8" guns were ordered dismounted and prepared for use abroad. Both gun tubes were transferred to Watervliet Arsenal 21 Dec 1917 but the war ended before they were shipped overseas. The guns were not returned to Battery Ransom and they were eventually shipped overseas during World War II. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Jackson (2), Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Maps & Images Lat: 29.3569607 Long: -89.4553667 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1 = 22.18', Gun #2 = 22.16' GPS Locations: 29.356961, -89.455367 Battery Ransom 29.356954, -89.455125 Gun emplacement #1 29.357110, -89.455504 Gun emplacement #2 Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 2 Nov 2021, 9 Dec 2009