Battery Read

Battery Read (1899-1918) - Battery Read was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort DuPont (1), Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 feb 1902, after George Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the State of Delaware. Battery construction started 1 May 1898, was completed 31 Dec 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 12 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 80,829.68. Deactivated in 1918.

Fort DuPont, Battery Read Gun Emplacement #1 From Right	Fort DuPont, Battery Read Gun Emplacement #1 From Left
Fort DuPont, Battery Read Gun Emplacement #1

Battery Read History

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MI1/2 guns mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages.

Battery Read Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888MI1/2		37	Morgan	Barbette, M1892, #21, Morgan	1899-1918	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	440"	M1888MI1/2		38	Morgan	Barbette, M1892, #22, Morgan	1899-1918	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Sep 1924, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 136-137, 208 Note 1: Guns transferred to Fort Hamilton, Battery Doubleday 1 Jul 1918. One carriage scrapped 16 Jun 1918, one sent to Fort Hancock. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

World War I

The battery was declared obsolete in 1915 and the guns were transferred to Fort Hamilton, Battery Doubleday on 1 Jul 1918. One carriage scrapped 16 Jun 1918, one sent to Fort Hancock.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort DuPont State Park, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.5682412 Long: -75.5784166 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=34.42, Gun #2=34.39'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 6 Aug 2010

Battery Read Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!