Battery Montgomery (2)

Battery Montgomery (2) (1904-1948) - Battery Montgomery (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Monroe, Hampton City, Virginia. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Maj. Lemuel P. Montgomery, 39th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 27 Mar 1814, in action at Horse Shoe Bend, Alabama. Battery construction started 17 Sep 1901, was completed in May 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 30 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 24,000.00. Deactivated in 1948.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Chesapeake Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 pedestal carriages.

Battery Montgomery (2) Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		15	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #33, Builders	1904-1917	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		42	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #34, Builders	1904-1917	See note 1
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		39	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #39, Builders	1919-1941	See note 2
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		41	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #38, Builders	1919-1941	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1919, RCB, 1910, 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 96-97, 209 Note 1: Guns transferred to Cape Henry 1917. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns came from Battery Merrill, Fort St. Philip. Guns transferred to Watervliet 22 Nov 1941. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Montgomery (2) 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. On 6 Feb 1917 the transfer of Battery Montgomery guns and carriages was authorized to an emergency battery at Cape Henry. On 18 Jul 1918 the guns and carriages were reported as having been transferred. In February 1919 two different sets of guns and carriages were transferred back to Battery Montgomery from Cape Henlopen and Cape May.

World War II

The 6" guns of Battery Montgomery were transferred to Watervliet on 22 Nov 1941.

Current Status

This battery has been destroyed and no trace remains.

---

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

Location: Fort Monroe, Hampton City, Virginia Maps & Images Lat: 37.014513 Long: -76.299834 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 27.7'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 22 Jul 2010

Battery Montgomery (2) Picture Gallery

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