Battery Armistead (1)

Battery Armistead (1) (1908-1942) - Battery Armistead (1) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Kearny (3), Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Captain Lewis G.A. Armistead, who was killed in action at Fort Erie, Upper Canada, September 1814. Battery construction started in August 1904, was completed in October 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 16,600.00. Deactivated in 1942.

Fort Kearny, Battery Armistead

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazine on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists furnished. Electrical power furnished from Battery French.

Battery Armistead (1) Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		42	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #33, American & British	1908-1942	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		44	Watervliet	Barbette, M1903, #34, American & British	1908-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Sep 1921, 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 74-75, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Armistead 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. Battery Armistead was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

This battery was relocated to Battery Armistead (2), Fort Varnum, in 1942.

Current Status

Part of the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus on Narragansett Bay, Washington County, Rhode Island. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: University of Rhode Island Bay Campus on Narragansett Bay, Washington County, Rhode Island. Maps & Images Lat: 41.491823 Long: -71.421202 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=44.67', Gun #2=44.63'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Narragansett Bay, (HDNARB-AP-45), 1 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links: CDSG

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