Battery Whitman

Battery Whitman (1902-1942) - Battery Frank Whitman was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Andrews, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906 after Major Frank H. Whitman, 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry (Captain, 2nd U.S. Infantry), who served with distinction during the Spanish-American War and the insurrection in the Philippine islands, and who died 7 Aug 1904. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 15 Jan 1902 at a cost of $ 86,000. Deactivated in 1942.

Battery Whitman History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1890 mortar carriages.

Battery Whitman Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
Initial Mortar Configuration
A1	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		40	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #210, Midvale	1902-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		35	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #104, Providence	1902-1942	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		40	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #209, Midvale	1902-1910	See note 2
A4	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		43	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #151, Builders	1902-1918	See note 3
B1	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		31	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #149, Builders	1902-1910	See note 2
B2	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		33	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #211, Builders	1902-1910	See note 2
B3	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		31	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #148, Builders	1902-1910	See note 2
B4	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		12	Niles	Mortar, M1896, #150, Builders	1902-1918	See note 3
Final Mortar Configuration
A1	12" Mortar	136.2"	M1908		1	Watervliet	Mortar, M1908 #21, Watertown	1913-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	136.2"	M1908		3	Watervliet	Mortar, M1908, #22, Watertown	1913-1942	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	136.2"	M1908		4	Watervliet	Mortar, M1908, #23, Watertown	1913-1942	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	136.2"	M1908		5	Watervliet	Mortar, M1908, #24, Watertown	1913-1942	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		40	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #149, Builders	1902-1942	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.12"	M1890MI		35	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #211, Midvale	1902-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1921, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-142 Note 1: Mortars and carriages salvaged 15 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Mortars to Fort Mills PI 16 Nov 1910. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 3: Mortars to Morgan 4 Jun 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Whitman 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. Two M1890MI mortars were ordered dismounted for shipment on 3 May 1918. Both mortars were transferred to Morgan arsenal on 4 Jun 1918 and they were not replaced in Battery Whitman.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Andrews, Plymouth Countyy, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.3018808 Long: -70.9321868 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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