Battery Benjamin

Battery Benjamin (1908-1947) - Battery Benjamin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Michie, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 19 Mar 1902, after 1st Lt. Calvin Benjamin, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed in the assault on Mexico City, 13 Sep 1847, during the Mexican-American War. Battery construction started in September 1902, was completed 26 Mar 1908 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 25 Nov 1908 at a cost of $ 54,742.00. Deactivated in 1947.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Taylor-Raymond electric shell hoists. No powder hoists provided. Electrical power provided by emplacement power plants in Battery Benjamin and Battery Palmer.

Both shell hoists were reported removed on 17 Aug 1915 under an order issued 7 Jan 1915.

Battery Benjamin Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		37	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #9, Watertown	1908-1947	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		38	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #10, Watertown	1908-1947	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1926, 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 96-97, 206 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Benjamin 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 guns of Battery Benjamin were not involved in the World War I redistribution or in the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

In 1942 two shell hoists were transferred from Battery House to Battery Benjamin.

The guns and carriages of Battery Benjamin recommended for salvage on 26 Jan 1946 and the battery was declared excess on 30 Apr 1947.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Great Gull Island, Suffolk County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 41.203432 Long: -72.117155 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 29.22'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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