Battery Thompson

Battery Thompson (1906-1945) - Battery Thompson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. The battery was named in G.O. 118, 23 Jun 1904 after Col. William Thompson, Ltc. South Carolina Rangers, Col. 3rd South Carolina Regiment, who was commended by act of Congress of 20 Jul 1776, for valor displayed in the defense of Charleston, South Carolina, 28 Jun 1776, and who died 22 Nov 1796. Battery construction started on 1903, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 10 Sep 1906 at a cost of $ 115,000.00. Deactivated in 1945.

Battery Thompson History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Charleston.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1900 guns mounted on M1901 disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines and utility rooms below. The 10" shells were lifted from the magazine below by Taylor-Raymond back delivery electric hoists. Electric power for lighting and to power the gun motors was supplied by an electric plant under the gun emplacement #2 loading platform. The gun carriages had both retracting and traversing electric motors.

Battery Thompson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	420.6"	M1900		3	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #2, Watertown	1906-1945	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	420.6"	M1900		7	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #3, Watertown	1906-1945	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1921, 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 128-129, 210 Note 1: Guns and carriage being salvaged 11 Apr 1945. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Thompson 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 guns of Battery Thompson were not removed for service overseas and remained at the battery throughout World War I.

In May 1918 the shell hoists were modified for the new long point shells.

!n June 1932 a concrete B.C. Station was added between the guns and was accepted for service on 21 Jun 1932 at a cost of $ 591.26.

World War II

The guns and carriage were reported as being salvaged 11 Apr 1945.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Moultrie, South Carolina Maps & Images Lat: 32.7602071 Long: -79.8396367 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 33.33', Gun #2= 33.01'

Sources:

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

Links:

Visited: 23 Jan 2010

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