Battery Mills (2)

Battery Mills (2) (1900-1943) - Battery Mills (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), Richmond County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Bvr. Col. Charles J. Mills, (U.S. Volunteers, Capt. Assist. Adjutant General), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who was killed in action at Hatcher's Run, near Petersburg, Virginia, 31 Mar 1865. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 26 Oct 1900 at a cost of $ 52,700.00. Deactivated in 1943.

Fort Wadsworth, Battery Mills, One Emplacement Armed, 23 Mar 1923 (two right emplacements)

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 disappearing carriages.

This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Two manual Hodges back delivery shell hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. No powder hoists installed.

Battery Mills (2) Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	309.8"	M1897MI		7	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #28, Morgan	1900-1943	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	309.8"	M1897MI		8	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #29, Morgan	1900-1943	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 2 Apr 1928, 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 94-95, 207 Note 1: Gun transferred to Watervliet 18 Dec 1943, carriage ordered scrapped 3 Dec1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun transferred to Sandy Hook Proving Grounds 20 Feb 1918 and carriage disassembled for permanent storage 12 Aug 1921. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Mills Plan Gun Emplacement #1

Battery Mills Plan Gun Emplacement #2

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. On 18 Jul 1918 one 6" gun was listed as having been shipped to the Sand Hook Proving Ground. On 20 Feb 1918 gun #8 was officially transferred to the Sand Hook Proving Ground.

World War II

The remaining Battery Mills gun was transferred to Watervliet on 18 Dec 1943. The remaining carriage was ordered scrapped on 3 Dec1943.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.6008713 Long: -74.0550613 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 15'

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: 15 Aug 2010

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