Battery Towson

Battery Towson (1900-1918) - Battery Towson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Carroll, Baltimore County, Maryland. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after MG Nathan Towson, U.S. Army, who served with distinction in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War and who died 20 Jul 1854, at Washington D.C. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 Jul 1900 at a cost of $ 79,937.00. Deactivated in 1918.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Baltimore.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888 guns mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. No separate powder hoists were provided. Power was furnished by a central electric power plant in back of Battery Towson.

Battery Towson was built into the southeast casemates of the old fort structure with the front of the lower tier sealed and turned into a magazine for the guns on the upper level.

Battery Towson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		45	Watervliet	Barbette, M1892, #18, Morgan	1900-1918	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	440"	M1888		26	Watervliet	Barbette, M1892, #17, Morgan	1900-1918	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jan 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 136-137 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Towson Plan

World War I

By 18 Jul 1918 both 12" guns from Battery Towson had been transferred for service elsewhere, specifically Battery Ayres at Fort Wadsworth (1).

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Carroll, Baltimore County, Maryland Maps & Images Lat: 39.2144458 Long: -76.5189976 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 23.5'

Sources:

Links:

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

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