Battery Dyer

Battery Dyer (1908-1917) - Battery Dyer was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wool, Virginia. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. MG Alexander B. Dyer, U.S. Army (BG, Chief of Ordinance, U.S. Army), who served with distinction during the Mexican-American War and the U.S. Civil War, and who died 20 May 1874. Battery construction started 10 Dec 1903, was completed August 1908 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 18 Aug 1908 at a cost of $ 55,000.00. Deactivated in 1917.

Fort Wool, Battery Dyer Gun Emplacement #1	Fort Wool, Battery Dyer Gun Emplacement #2
Fort Wool, Battery Dyer Magazine and Plotting Room Entrance

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Chesapeake Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages. Battery Dyer was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a common shell and magazine room on the lower level. Electrical power was furnished by a power room located in the traverse between Battery Claiborne and Battery Dyer. No powder or shell hoists were provided.

Battery Dyer Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		18	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #49, Detrick & Harvey	1908-1917	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		22	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #48, Detrick & Harvey	1908-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1919, 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 98-99, 208 Note 1: The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 27 Nov 1917, the carriages were ordered scrapped 26 may 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Dyer 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 Dyer were ordered dismounted for for use abroad on 24 Aug 1917 and were transferred to Watervliet on 27 Nov 1917. The gun tubes eventually made their way to France and they were returned to the U.S. after the war. Battery Dyer was not rearmed. The carriages were ordered scrapped 26 May 1920.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wool, Ripp Rapp Island, Hampton City, Virginia Maps & Images Lat: 36.9867642 Long: -76.3006711 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 25.5'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 23 Jun 2010

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