Battery Dix

Battery Dix (1904-1944) - Battery Dix 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. 78, 25 May 1903, after MG John A. Dix, U.S. Army, who served during the War of 1812 and the U.S. Civil War, and who died 21 Apr 1879, at New York City, New York. Battery construction started in 1900, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 17 Jun 1904 at a cost of $ 100,000. Deactivated in 1944.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1900 guns mounted on M1901 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. The Hodges shell hoists were later replaced with two Taylor-Raymond electric shell hoists and the hoists were modified for the newer long point shells.

Battery Dix Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	487.5"	M1900		6	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #5, Midvale	1904-1944	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	487.5"	M1900		9	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #6, Midvale	1904-1944	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, 26 Nov 1943, 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 150-151, 207 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Dix 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. Battery Dix was not affected by either the World War I redistribution or the subsequent 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

Salvage of this Battery was authorized 23 Oct 1943, guns and carriages removed.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.5993846 Long: -74.0560913 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 15'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of New York, (HDNY-AN-44), 1 Sep 1944, CDSG

Links:

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

Visited: 15 Aug 2010

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