Battery Hoskins

Battery Hoskins (1921-1946) - Battery Hoskins was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Crockett, Texas. The battery was named after Lt. Leonard C. Hoskins, the first Coast Artillery officer killed in WWI. Battery construction started in Aug 1917, was completed in April 1921 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 27 May 1921 at a cost of $ 304,237.63. Work began on 29 May 1942 on a modernization program to casemate the guns, the work was completed 20 Aug 1944 at a cost of $ 793,462.26. The battery was deactivated in 1946.

File:Fort Crockett Hoskins.jpg

File:Fort Crockett Hoskins.jpg

Battery Hoskins History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Galveston.

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.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" 1895MI guns mounted on 1917 Barbette carriages. The guns were originally mounted on two open 100' concrete circular pads separated by an earth covered concrete magazine. The guns were 420' apart in an All-Round-fire (ARF) configuration.

Battery Hoskins Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	442.6"	M1895MI	A4	56	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917A2, #10, Watertown	1921-1946	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.6"	M1895MI	A4	45	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917A2, #11, Watertown	1921-1946	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Apr 1923, Oct 1945, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1 pages 154-155 Note 1: Guns transferred from Watervliet to Fort Crockett 24 Jan 1918. Carriages transferred from Watertown to Fort Crockett in June and July 1918

File:Fort Crockett Battery Hoskins Plan.jpg

Battery Hoskins Plan

World War II

In 1942 a decision was taken to upgrade Battery Hoskins because the open gun pads provided an easy target for enemy planes. The plan included casemating the guns and connecting the casemates through the magazines to create a unified earth covered battery. The electrical system was upgraded to 440 volt AC from the original DC system and commercial power was made available as an alternate source. Air conditioning was added and additional operational rooms were built. The modifications were completed 20 Aug 1944 but there is some evidence that the battery was operational in 1943.

Current Status

The battery is directly in front of the San Luis Hotel and Conference Center and is closed to the public. The casemates can be seen from the seawall highway and the rear entrances to each casemate can be viewed from each side. No period guns or mount

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Location: Fort Crockett, Texas Maps & Images Lat: 29.2720037 Long: -94.8182157 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 18' 2"

Sources:

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

Links:

Visited: 12 Nov 2009

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