Battery Fergusson

Battery Fergusson (1917-1942) - Battery Fergusson was a reinforced concrete, World War I 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Tilden, Queens County, New York. The battery was originally named East Battery but it was renamed in December 1939, after BG Frank K. Fergusson. Battery construction started 8 Feb 1917, was completed 14 May 1917 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 14 May 1917. Deactivated in 1942.

World War I

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an World War I concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages. The carriages were mounted on concrete gun blocks with two magazines for each position set back from the gun blocks. Each gun had a wooden "takedown" shelter over that could be quickly removed for firing.

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 and carriages that ended up in Battery Kessler were supplied from Battery Kinney, Fort Slocum (2), in February 1917 as a part of the World War I redistribution.

The guns were proof fired on 14 May 1917.

Battery Fergusson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		26	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #18, Watervliet	1917-1942	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		44	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #19, Watervliet	1917-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 19 Apr 1923, 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 96-97, 207 Note 1: Carriages transferred from Fort Slocum (2) 17 Feb 1917. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Fergusson Gun and Shelter Plan

World War II

This battery was declared on 27 Sep 1940 to be no longer required and authorized to be abandoned upon completion of the modernization program. Abandoned in 1942.

Current Status

Part of Gateway National Recreation Area. No period guns or mounts in place.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort Tilden, Queens County, New York. Map points approximate. Maps & Images Lat: 40.562353 Long: -73.881121 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 20'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of New York, (HDNY-AN-44), 1 Sep 1944, CDSG

Links:

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

Visited: No

Battery Fergusson Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!