Battery Drum

Battery Drum (1899-1917) - Battery Drum was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4.72 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Captain Simon H. Drum, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed 13 Sep 1847, in the assault on the City of Mexico, during the Mexican War. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 21 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 14,737.39. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4.72" Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were needed or provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

Battery Drum Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	4.72" Rifle	40 Cal	Armstrong		11855	Armstrong	Pedestal, Armstrong, #10843, Armstrong	1899-1917	See note 1
2	4.72" Rifle	40 Cal	Armstrong		11856	Armstrong	Pedestal, Armstrong, #10842, Armstrong	1899-1917	See note 1, eventually donated to Ansonia, CT
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1921, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 86-87 Note 1: Guns and carriages transferred on 28 Nov 1917 to Sachuest Point, Middletown, RI. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

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. The guns and carriages of Battery Drum were shipped abroad in October 1917 to Sauchet Point.

Current Status

Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.3303 Long: -70.956473 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 106.4'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: No

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