Battery Crittenden

Battery Crittenden (1908-1946) - Battery Crittenden was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wetherill, Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 2nd Lt. John J. Crittenden, 20th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 25 Jun 1876, in action with the Sioux indians at Little Big Horn River, Montana. Battery construction started in June 1901, was completed in July 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 15,500.00. Deactivated in 1946.

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Fort Wetherill, Battery Crittenden CRF Station

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902 guns mounted on M1902 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. 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 Crittenden Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
Original Guns & Carriages
1	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		28	Bethlehem	Barbette, M1902, #28, Bethlehem	1908-1925	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.35"	M1902MI		29	Bethlehem	Barbette, M1902, #28, Bethlehem	1908-1925	See note 1
1925 Replacement Guns & Carriages
1	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		30	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #24, American & British	1925-1946	See note 2
2	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		31	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #25, American & British	1925-1946	See note 2
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 172-175, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Crittenden 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 and carriages of Battery Crittenden were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

On 26 Feb 1925 both M1902 guns and both M1902 carriages were dismounted and put into storage. In April 1925 two M1903 guns and two M1903 carriages from Battery Belton, Fort Adams (1), were mounted in Battery Crittenden.

World War II

Battery Crittenden was active throughout World War II until it's guns and carriages were declared obsolete on 18 Nov 1945 and processed for disposal on 14 Mar 1946.

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: 41.478546 Long: -71.364859 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 84.75'

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

Visited: No

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