Battery Arnold

Battery Arnold (1899-1943) - Battery Arnold was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mott, New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, after Ltc. Lewis G. Arnold, 2nd U.S. Artillery, BG U.S. Volunteers, who served with distinction in the Flordia Indian Wars and the U.S. Civil War, and who died 22 Sep 1871 at South Boston, Massachusetts. Battery construction started on 5 Mar 1896, was completed on 16 Jun 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use on 6 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 268,351.93 (cost for both Battery Harker and Battery Arnold). Deactivated in 1943.

Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Gun Emplacement #1	Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Under Repair
Fort Mott, Battery Arnold Gun Emplacement #1

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888 guns and one 12" M1888MII gun all mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. The three gun emplacements of this battery were built together with the three 10" gun emplacements of Battery Harker as one large battery.

Battery Arnold was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a magazine for each gun on the lower level. Three Taylor-Raymond back delivery projectile hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. The shell hoists were transferred for use on 27 May 1907. No powder hoists installed. Electric power for the battery was furnished by an internal power plant.

Battery Arnold Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		12	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #1, Watertown	1899-1943	See note 1 Mtd 1 Jun 1898
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		8	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #2, Watertown	1899-1943	See note 1 Mtd 1 Mar 1898
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888MII		33	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #4, Watertown	1899-1943	See note 1 Mtd 14 Jun 1898
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1922, 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 138-139, 208 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 9 Dec 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Arnold 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 tubes of Battery Arnold were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

The abandonment of Battery Arnold was authorized 31 Aug 1943 and the guns and carriages of Battery Arnold were ordered salvaged 9 Dec 1943.

Current Status

Part of Fort Mott State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Mott, Salem County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 39.6039275 Long: -75.5529892 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 34.98'

Recent Blog Posts:

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

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 6 Aug 2010

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