Battery Ayres

Battery Ayres (1901-1942) - Battery Ayers was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), Richmond County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Col. Romeyn B. Ayers, 2nd U.S. Artillery, (MG U.S. Volunteers), who died 4 Dec 1888. Battery construction started 1899, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 30 Jul 1902 at a cost of $ 87,000.00. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1895 disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Two Hodges back delivery shell hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform.

Battery Ayers Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895MI		1	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1895, #24, Watertown	1901-1918	See note 1
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		26	Bethlehem	Disappearing, M1895, #24, Watertown	1918-1942	See note 2
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		10	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1895, #25, Watertown	1901-1918	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		45	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1895, #25, Watertown	1918-1942	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, RCB, 31 Oct 1903, 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 148-149, 107 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 7 Aug 1918 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred from Fort Carroll (1), Battery Towson, 26 Jul 1918. Guns ordered salvaged 1 Jul 1944, carriages ordered scrapped 4 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Ayers 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 two M1895 guns were ordered dismounted and shipped to Watervliet for use on railroad mounts. These two guns were replaced with two M1888 guns from Battery at Fort Carroll.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.5978796 Long: -74.0605062 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 15'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 15 Aug 2010

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