Battery Habersham

Battery Habersham (1900-1942) - Battery Habersham was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Screven, Chatham County, Georgia. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after Major Joseph Habersham, Continental Army, who rendered distinguished service during the revolution and afterwards, Postmaster General (1795-1801). Battery construction started in December 1898, was completed in March 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 9 Apr 1900 at a cost of $ 125,442. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Savannah.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages divided into two mortar pits (A-B) with four mortars in each pit (1-4).

Each mortar pit had a data booth at the rear that conveyed azimuth and elevation information to the gun crews and directed the firing. The data booth was connected to the plotting room via telephone. Between the mortar pits was a concrete magazine that stored the shells and powder. The magazine was protected with a 20' covering of earth. Shells and powder were wheeled from the magazine to the mortar loading platforms on shot carts.

Battery Habersham Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		52	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #200, Columbus	1900-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		3	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #199, Columbus	1900-1918	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		11	Niles	Mortar, M1896MI, #221, Rarig	1900-1942	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		53	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #222, Rarig	1900-1918	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		44	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #220., Rarig	1900-1942	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		41	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #198, Columbus	1900-1918	See note 1
B3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		46	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #195, Columbus	1900-1942	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		42	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #197, Columbus	1900-1918	See note 1
Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1903, RCW Form 1, August 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-141 Note 1:

Battery Habersham 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.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Screven, Chatham County, Georgia Maps & Images Lat: 32.0239547 Long: -80.8491021 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 20.293' (trunnion elevation)

Sources: Template:HBSuppSavannahWWII

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: 19 Jan 2010

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