Battery Gardner

Battery Gardner (1924-1946) - Battery Gardner was a reinforced concrete, World War I 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Ruckman, Essex County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 9, 11 Feb 1920, after Major Augustus P. Gardner, former member of Congress from Massachusetts, who died at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, 14 Jan 1918, while serving with the 121st Infantry. Funds allocated 16 Mar 1918 in the amount of $365,000. Deactivated in 1946.

World War I (1917-1918)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally built as a World War I concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI-A2 guns mounted on M1917-A2 Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on the same level as the magazines.

Battery Gardner Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895MI	A4	25	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917-A2, #28, Watertown	1924-1946	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895MI	A4	42	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917-A2, #29, Watertown	1924-1946	See note 1
Source: 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 23 Jun 1922, carriages transferred from Watertown 29 Dec 1919. Exact assignment of guns and carriages to emplacements not determined. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

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 Gardner were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Gardner was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Boston plan throughout World War II. The battery was casemated during the war. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage in 1946.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Ruckman, Essex County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.4190124 Long: -70.9053704 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

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

Links:

• New York Times - Battery Gardner
• CDSG

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