Battery Adair

Battery Adair (1904-1920) - Battery Adair was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Taylor (2), Florida. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903, after 1st Lt. Lewis D. Adair, 22nd U.S. Infantry, who died 5 Oct 1872, of wounds received in action with Sioux Indians at Heart River Crossing, Dakota Territory, 4 Oct 1872. Battery construction started Jun 1899, was completed Mar 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 13 Oct 1904 at a cost of $ 28,275.00. Deactivated in 1920.

Battery Adair	Battery Adair
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Battery Adair History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Key West.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1898 guns mounted on modified M1898 balanced pillar mounts. Gun emplacements #2-#4 were accepted for service 23 Apr 1901, emplacement #1 was accepted for service 13 Oct 1904. This battery was a two story battery built on top of the U.S. Civil War casemates along the west curtain of Fort Taylor. The four 3" guns were emplaced on the upper level with a separate magazine for each emplacement on the lower level. Shell and powder hoists were not required because the 3" ammunition was light enough to be hand carried.

Battery Adair Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		120	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #120, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		42	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #42, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		43	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #43, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
4	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		44	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #44, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 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 211 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 17 Sep 1920, mounts scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Adair 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. Battery Adair survived the World War I redistribution but was caught in the 1920 disarmament plan. On 27 Mar 1920 all four guns were ordered removed and the carriages salvaged. The guns were transferred to Watervliet 17 Sep 1920 and the mounts were scrapped 20 May 1920.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Taylor (2), Keey West, Florida Maps & Images Lat: 24.5477038 Long: -81.8104541 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 29.01'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

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