Battery Butterfield

Battery Butterfield (1901-1944) - Battery Butterfield was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after MG Daniel Butterfield, U.S. Volunteers (Col., U.S. Army), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 17 Jul 1901. Battery construction started in December 1898, was completed in the Fall of 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 110,000.00. Deactivated in 1944.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform originally by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. These hoists were replaced in 1916 by two Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists that were accepted for service on 15 Feb 1916. Electric power was furnished by the Battery Butterfield emplacement power plant.

The original set of 12" guns was swapped out in 1911-1912 for a new set.

Battery Butterfield Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
Original Set
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		30	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem	1901-1911	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		31	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem	1901-1912	See note 1
Second Set
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		38	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem	1911-1937	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		2	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem	1912-1937	See note 1
Third Set
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		7	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem	1937-1944	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895		3	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem	1937-1944	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1927, RCB, 31 Dec 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 148-149, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Butterfield 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 Butterfield were not affected by the World War I redistribution and the following 1920 disarmament program.

In 1929 the 12" guns were again swapped out for a new set and another swap out took place in 1937.

World War II

The salvage of the armament and accessory equipment was directed on 22 Feb 1944.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.254093 Long: -72.033714 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=30.02', Gun #2=31.02'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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