Battery Farry

Battery Farry (1902-1920) - Battery Farry was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lieutenant Joseph F. Farry, 3rd U.S. Artillery, who was kiled 8 Sep 1847, at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico, during the Mexican War. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 11 Dec 1902. at a cost of $ 10,000.00. Deactivated in 1920.

L-R Battery Thompson (2 guns), Battery Acker (3 guns) and Battery Farry (2 guns)

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Balance Pillar 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 hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

Battery Farry Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		49	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #49, Driggs-Seabury	1902-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		51	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #51, Driggs-Seabury	1902-1920	See note 1
Source: 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 70-71 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 8 Jul 1920, carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Farry 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 Farry were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the 1920 disarmament program saw most of the 3" M1898 guns and carriages scrapped. The M1898MI guns were transferred to Watervliet 8 Jul 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920.

Current Status

Mostly private property on Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.687281 Long: -70.19634 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 48.476', Gun #2= 48.493'

Sources:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort McKinley Military Reservation D01ME042402, December 1994, Portland , ME. Large pdf download

Links:

• CDSG

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