Battery Stanton

Battery Stanton (1901-1932) - Battery Stanton was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Gaines (1), Alabama. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, after Capt. Henry W. Stanton, 1st U.S. Dragoons, who was killed 19 Jan 1855 in action with Apache Indians in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. Battery construction on the two original emplacements started in 1899, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 20 May 1901 at a cost of $ 67,250.00. Construction began on a third emplacement in 1903, was completed in 1904 and transferred for service 31 May 1904 at a cost of $ 24,134.89. Total cost of the battery was $ 91,384.89. Deactivated in 1932.

View from the Southwest corner of Battery Stanton

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Mobile, Alabama.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 disappearing carriages. One additional gun emplacement with one M1903MI gun and a M1903 disappearing carriage was added for service on 31 May 1904. The addition of the third emplacement cause the emplacements to be renumbered and the new emplacement became #1 and the original emplacements became #2 and #3. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the second level and the magazines on the first level. The battery was built with a 20KW steam driven electric plant. Hodges back delivery shell hoists were accepted for service 31 May 1904. These hoists were installed on the original two gun emplacements but not the new third emplacement. There were no powder hoists.

Battery Stanton Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		67	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #61, Mansfield	1905-1917	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		22	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #18, Watertown	1901-1932	See note 2
3	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		27	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #19, Watertown	1901-1932	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, Jan 1924, RCB, 10 Oct 1904, 31 Dec 1907, 31 Dec 1909, 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 94-95,98-99, 212 Note 1: Carriage transferred from Mansfield 10 May 1905. Gun transferred to Watervliet for service elsewhere 20 Nov 1917. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Carriages transferred from Watertown 22 Mar 1901. Guns transferred to Augusta 13 Apr 1932. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Stanton 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 M1903 gun in emplacement #1 was transferred 20 Nov 1917 to Watervliet Arsenal in preparation for shipment overseas. This gun was actually transferred to France 31 Jul 1918 and was returned 23 Jun 1919 to Aberdeen. It was not returned to Battery Stanton and the battery remained a two gun battery.

The power plant was updated 29 Jul 1921 with a gasoline powered 25KW motor generator set and the original steam set was transferred to Rivers & Harbors 19 Apr 1923. A concrete C.R.F. station was installed and accepted on 29 Jul 1921.

The two M1898 disappearing carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Jan 1932 and the two remaining M1897MI gun tubes were transferred to Augusta on 13 Apr 1932.

Current Status

Fort Gaines Historical Site maintained by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Gaines Historical Site, Dauphin Island, Alabama Maps & Images Lat: 30.248493 Long: -88.075102 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 26.7'

Sources:

• CDSG

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Gaines
• Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board

Visited: 23 Dec 2011

Battery Stanton Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Ammo Magazine for Battery Stanton
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  Far west end of Battery Stanton, Fort Gaines Alabama
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  Looking at Battery Stanton from the east, the brick area is the old quartermasters office
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  View from inside one of the storage areas of Battery Stanton
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  View of Battery Stanton taken from the northeast side of the parade grounds, near the old bakery in Fort Gaines Alabama
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  View of Battery Stanton from the northwest parade grounds at Fort Gaines Alabama, the old Quartermasters Office
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  Inside Battery Stanton looking east towards projectile storage areas, there was a hoist to the far left
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  One of the stairways that go up to the gun level from the storage areas inside Battery Stanton