Battery Laval

Battery Laval (1897-1920) - Battery Jacint Laval was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Crockett, Texas. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Col. Jacint Laval, 1st U.S. Dragoons, veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Battery construction started 9 Jan 1899, was completed 8 Sep 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use at a cost of $ 29,069.32. This battery survived the 1900 hurricane but required repair and restoration work, reactivated 21 Aug 1911 along with all the other Galveston batteries. Deactivated in 1920.

Battery Laval Remains	Battery Laval Side View
Battery Laval Panorama

Battery Laval History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Galveston.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI Driggs-Seabury rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 masking parapet mounts. The battery was completed and the guns and carriages awaiting installation when the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 struck. The battery survived the hurricane but was left sitting exposed on it's pilings. The battery was repaired and restored but not accepted until 21 Aug 1911, after Fort Crockett was re-garrisoned.

Battery Laval Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		38	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #38, Driggs-Seabury	1900-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		37	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #37, Driggs-Seabury	1900-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Feb 1936, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71 Note 1: Guns were transferred to Watervliet 28 Aug 1920, Carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Laval Plan

World War I

At the end of World War I a general disarmament of some types of obsolete coastal defense batteries took place and Battery Laval was a part of that disarmament. The gun tubes were ordered removed by the A.G.O. on 27 Mar 1920 and they were transferred to Watervliet 28 Aug 1920. The carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920.

Current Status

The battery itself is a part of the Gaveston seawall with the upper level gun platforms visible. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Crockett, Texas Maps & Images Lat: 29.2727641 Long: -94.8146591 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1 = 22.08', Gun #2 = 21.84'

Sources:

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

Links:

Visited: 12 Nov 2009

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