Fort Totten (3): Difference between revisions
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== [[World War I]] == | == [[World War I]] == | ||
{{WWICoastalGuns}} Fort Totten was especially hard hit by the [[World War I]] redistribution. Four batteries, [[Battery Mahan]], [[Battery Graham]], [[Battery Summer]] and [[Battery Stuart]] had their gun tubes dismounted and readied for service abroad and none of them were ever rearmed. | {{WWICoastalGuns}} Fort Totten was especially hard hit by the [[World War I]] redistribution. Four batteries, [[Battery Mahan]], [[Battery Graham]], [[Battery Summer]] and [[Battery Stuart]] had their gun tubes dismounted and readied for service abroad and none of them were ever rearmed. The loss of these four batteries removed all of the large caliber rifles from Fort Totten and left only the 12" mortars of battery King for large caliber defense. [[Battery King]] was deactivated in 1935 leaving the Fort without any large caliber defense. | ||
== World War II == | == World War II == | ||
Revision as of 07:31, 22 August 2010
Fort Totten (3) (1862-1995) - A Third System coastal defense fort originally funded by Congress in 1857. Construction began in 1862 during the U.S. Civil War under the supervision of Col. William P. Trowbridge. Originally known as the Fort at Willet's Point (1857-1861) then as Camp Morgan (1861-1898) and finally as Fort Totten (1898-Present). Named for Maj. Gen. Joseph G. Totten, Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army. Congress approved the closing of Fort Totten in 1995.
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Fort Totten History
The original purpose of Fort Totten was to protect the East River approach to New York Harbor, along with Fort Schuyler, located on Throgs Neck, directly across the river.
The original Third System fortifications included an uncompleted Water Battery. Two batteries were built during the 1870's, the 16 gun Mortar Battery and the 27 Gun Battery.
Additional batteries built during the Endicott Period are listed below.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery King | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1898-1900-1900-1935 | $ 19,329 | Buried |
| Battery Mahan | 2 | 12" | Disappearing | 1898-1900-1900-1918 | $ 88,535 | |
| Battery Graham | 2 | 10" | Disappearing | 1896-1897-1897-1918 | $ 218,037 | |
| Battery Sumner | 2 | 8" | Disappearing | 1897-1899-1899-1917 | $ 45,000 | |
| Battery Stuart | 2 | 5" | Balanced Pillar | 1899-1900-1899-1917 | $ 9,300 | |
| Battery Baker | 2 2 |
3" 3" |
Masking Parapet Pedestal |
1897-1900-1900-1920 190?-190?-1904-1945 |
$ 18,150 | |
| Battery Burnes | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1903-1904-1904-1945 | $ 10,000 | |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
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. Fort Totten was especially hard hit by the World War I redistribution. Four batteries, Battery Mahan, Battery Graham, Battery Summer and Battery Stuart had their gun tubes dismounted and readied for service abroad and none of them were ever rearmed. The loss of these four batteries removed all of the large caliber rifles from Fort Totten and left only the 12" mortars of battery King for large caliber defense. Battery King was deactivated in 1935 leaving the Fort without any large caliber defense.
World War II
The fort had various support missions during World War II and, from 1954 to 1974, served as the Headquarters for 1st Region NIKE missile defense system for New York and New England.
Current Status
In 1995 Congress approved the closing of Fort Totten. In 2004, 49.5 acres was turned over to the NYC Parks Department by the National Parks Service and U.S. Defense Department. In 2005 Fort Totten Park opened to the public.
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Location: Willet's Point, Queens, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.796351 Long: -73.779252 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 586
Links:
Visited: 21 Aug 2010
Fort Totten (3) Picture Gallery
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