Battery Carpenter

Battery Carpenter (1906-1947) - Battery Carpenter was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 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 Major Stephen D. Carpenter, 19th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 31 Dec 1862, at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1901, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 25 May 1906 at a cost of $ 45,400.00. Deactivated in 1947.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Pedestal 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 two Hodges back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Weymouth and the central power plant.

Battery Carpenter Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		9	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #3, Watertown	1906-1917 1919-1947	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		10	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1900, #4, Watertown	1906-1917 1919-1947	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 31 May 1919, 1 Dec 1920, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 96-97 Note 1: Guns transferred 28 Nov 1917 to Morgan for modification and shipment to France. Guns transferred back from France to Battery Carpenter and remounted. Gun # 10 transferred back 27 May 1919 and gun # 9 transferred back 5 Dec 1919. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Carpenter 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. Both of the guns of Battery Carpenter were ordered dismounted for use abroad on 24 Aug 1917. Both guns were transferred on 28 Nov 1917 to Morgan for modification and eventual shipment to France. Both guns were transferred back from France to Battery Carpenter and remounted. Gun # 10 was transferred back on 27 May 1919 and gun # 9 was transferred back on 5 Dec 1919.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Carpenter was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan throughout World War II. After the war ended in 1945, the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage about 1947.

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: 43.679496 Long: -70.190065 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 99.90'

Sources:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort McKinley Military Reservation D01ME042402, December 1994, Portland , ME. Large pdf download
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: 1 Jul 2012

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