Battery Boyd

Battery Boyd (1916-1919) - Battery Boyd was a reinforced concrete, World War I 6 inch coastal gun battery on Ford Island, Honolulu County, Hawaii. The battery was named Battery Boyd in G.O. 13, 16 Jan 1917, after Captain Charles T. Boyd, 10th U.S. Cavalry, who was killed in action at Carrizal, Mexico, on 21 Jun 1916. Battery construction started in August 1916, was completed in December 1917 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 17 Dec 1917 at a cost of $ 59,045. Designated for the land defenses of Oahu. Deactivated in 1919. World War I (1917-1918) Part of the Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor. Originally built as an World War I concrete casemated coastal gun battery with two 6" M1898 Armstrong guns mounted on M1898 Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on the same level as the magazines. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by cart and by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided or needed. Battery Boyd Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes ? 6" Rifle 249.25" M1898 12138 Armstrong Barbette, M1898, #11164 Armstrong 1917-1919 See note 1 ? 6" Rifle 249.25" M1898 12134 Armstrong Barbette, M1898, #11159, Armstrong 1917-1919 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1,9 Mar 1925, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 92-93, 218. Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA - The original order to scrap the guns and carriages came on 22 Jul 1919. Gun & Carriage cards indicate that the carriages were recorded as scrapped on 6 Sep 1921 and the guns were salvaged on the same date Battery Boyd Plan 1919. 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 Boyd remained in place during World War I until they were directed to be scrapped on 22 Jul 1919 along with most of the inventory of 6" Armstrong carriages and guns. Gun & Carriage cards indicate that the carriages were recorded as scrapped on 6 Sep 1921 and the guns were salvaged on the same date. Current Status The battery structure appears to be intact, a fence surrounds the battery. No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"width":"500"} Location: Ford Island, Honolulu County, Hawaii. Maps & Images Lat: 21.36434 Long: -157.96674 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 21' 1.5" (Trunnion elevation) See Also: Battery Henry Adair Coastal Battery Gun List Fort Kamehameha Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor Sources: Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 92-93, 218. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Links: CDSG Visited: No