Battery Irons

Battery Irons (1900-1913) - Battery Irons was a concrete Endicott Period 4.7" gun battery located on Fort Armistead, Maryland. Battery construction started 2 Apr 1898, was completed in July 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 Jan 1900 at a total cost of $10,616.08. The Battery was named for 1st Lt. Joseph F. Irons, 1st U.S. Artillery in 1903. Deactivated in 1913.

Battery Irons 2009

Battery Irons Entrance

Battery Irons History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Baltimore.

Battery Irons was a reinforced concrete EndicottPeriod 4.7" Armstrong gun battery with two British Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong Barbette Carriages. The carriages arrived at Fort Armistead on 12 Aug 1898 and presumably the gun tubes arrived with them. The guns and the carriages were removed and shipped to Fort Ruger in the Hawaiian Islands on 24 Jul 1913.

Battery Irons Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	4.72" Rifle	218.4"	Armstrong		11001	Armstrong	Pedestal Mount, #11016, Armstrong	1900-1913	See Note 1
2	4.72" Rifle	218.4"	Armstrong		11005	Armstrong	Pedestal Mount, #11015, Armstrong	1900-1913	See Note 1
Source: CDSG, RCW Form 1, 1 Jan 1920, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 86, 209 Note 1: Guns and carriages removed and shipped 24 Jul 1913 to Fort Ruger, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Current Status

On Fort Armistead Baltimore City Park. No period guns or carriages are in place. The Battery is covered with graffitti and a bit overgrown.

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Location: Fort Armistead, Maryland. Maps & Images Lat: 39.208494 Long: -76.533921 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: '

Sources:

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

Links:

Visited: 2 Apr 2009

Battery Irons Picture Gallery

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  Battery Irons Gun Emplacement #1
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  Battery Irons Gun Emplacement #1
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  Battery Irons Gun Emplacement #2