Battery Turnbull

Battery Turnbull (1903-1945) - Battery Turnbull was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), New York. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Colonel William Turnbull, ( Major U.S. Topographical Engineers), who served with distinction during the Mexican-American War, and who died 28 Dec 1857. Battery construction started in 1902, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 19 Nov 1903 at a cost of $ 30,000.00. Declared obsolete in 1945.

Fort Wadsworth, Battery Turnbull Gun Emplacement #5

Fort Wadsworth, Battery Turnbull Gun Emplacement #6

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with six 3" M1902 guns mounted on M1902 pedestal carriages. The six M1903 guns and carriages of Battery Catlin were swapped out with the six M1902 guns and carriages of Battery Turnbull in 1913.

Battery Turnbull Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		60	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #37, American & British	1903-1945	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		66	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #38, American & British	1903-1945	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		67	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #39, American & British	1903-1945	See note 1
4	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		68	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #40, American & British	1903-1945	See note 1
5	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		81	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #41, American & British	1903-1942	See note 2
6	3" Rifle	150"	M1903		82	Watervliet	Pedestal, M1903, #42, American & British	1903-1942	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, 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, 207 Note 1: Guns and carriages declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945 and processed for disposal 15 Feb 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages to Battery 5, Fort Miles 23 May 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Turnbull 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 Catlin was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program.

World War II

A concrete B.C.-C.R.F. station was built south of Battery Turnbull and accepted for service 16 feb 1943 at a cost of $ 4,518.50.

Guns and carriages declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945 and processed for disposal 15 Feb 1946.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.6041438 Long: -74.0540984 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 16'

Sources:

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

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: 15 Aug 2010

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