Battery Hardman

Battery Hardman (1908-1917) - Battery John Hardman was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Baldwin, Sagadahoc County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Captain John Hardman, 2nd Maryland Regiment, Continental Army, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Camden, South Carolina, and who died while a prisoner of war 1 Sep 1780. Battery construction started in 1905, was completed in 1908 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 13 Nov 1908 at a cost of $ 33,000.00. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Kennebec River, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 6" M1905 gun mounted on an M1903 Disappearing carriage. 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 hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by temporary power plant in Battery Cogan.

The gun was mounted in July 1908.

Battery Hardman Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905		10	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #71, Detrick & Harvey	1908-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 31 May 1919, RCB, 31 Dec 1910, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 98-99 Note 1: Gun transferred to Watervliet 4 dec 1917, carriage ordered scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Hardman Plan

World War I (1917-1918)

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 Hardman were ordered dismounted for use on railway mounts abroad on 24 Aug 1917. The gun was actually dismounted 26 Nov 1917 and shipped to Watervliet 8 Dec 1917. The gun was transferred to Watervliet on 4 dec 1917 and eventually made it's way to France in 1918. This gun was returned to the U.S. in 1919 but not to Battery Hardman. Battery Hardman remained unarmed and the remaining carriage was ordered scrapped on 26 May 1920.

Current Status

Part of Fort Baldwin Memorial State Park, Sagadahoc County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Baldwin, Sagadahoc County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.750564 Long: -69.789126 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 125.05'

Sources:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort Baldwin Military…ME011702, Phippsburg, ME. Large pdf download

Links:

• CDSG

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