Battery Dickenson

Battery Dickenson (1908-1947) - Battery Dickenson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wetherill, Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lt. George Dickenson, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed 13 Dec 1862 at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in July 1901, was completed in July 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 36,500.00. Deactivated in 1947.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Hodges electric shell hoists. Electrical power was furnished by an emplacement power plant in Battery Wheaton.

Battery Wheaton, Battery Walbach, Battery Dickenson, Battery Zook, and Battery Crittenden were all accepted for service on the same day, 7 May 1908.

Battery Dickenson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		40	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #35, Builders	1908-1947	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		36	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #36, Builders	1908-1947	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Jun 1925, 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, 205 Note 1: Declared excess 30 Apr 1947. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Dickenson 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 Dickenson was unaffected by the World War I redistribution and the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

Battery Dickenson was declared excess on 30 Apr 1947.

Current Status

Part of Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, Conanicut Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, Conanicut Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. Maps & Images Lat: 41.478562 Long: -71.365439 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=103.04', Gun #2=102.95'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Narragansett Bay, (HDNARB-AP-45), 1 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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