Battery Belton

Battery Belton (1907-1925) - Battery Belton was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Adams (1), Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Col. Francis S. Belton, 4th U.S. Artillery, who served with distinction during the War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War, and who died 10 Sep 1861. Battery construction started in October 1903, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 31 Jul 1907 at a cost of $ 15,800.00. Deactivated in 1925.

Battery Belton Gun Emplacement #1	[[|300px|thumb|right|]]
Battery Belton Overgrown

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 Pedestal mounts. This is a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a shared magazine below. No shell or powder hoists provided. Electrical power from the power plant in Battery Edgerton.

Battery Belton Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		30	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #24, American & British	1907-1925	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		31	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #25, American & British	1907-1925	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1,15 Jun 1925, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 74-75,204 Note 1:Guns and carriages transferred to Fort Wetherill, Battery Crittenden 7 Feb 1925. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Belton 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 of Battery Belton were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program. On 7 Feb 1925 both guns and carriages were transferred to Fort Wetherill and mounted in Battery Crittenden and Battery Belton was deactivated.

Current Status

Part of Fort Adams State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Adams, Newport County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.472276 Long: -71.345604 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

Links:

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

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