Battery Closson

Battery Closson (1920-1920) - Battery Closson was a reinforced concrete, Taft Period 12 inch coastal gun battery at Ahua Point on Fort Kamehameha, Honolulu County, Hawaii. Battery construction started September 1917, was completed in April 1920 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 4 May 1920 at a cost of $ 302,729.42. Deactivated in 1920.

Taft Period (1905-1915)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor.

Originally built as an Taft Period concrete coastal gun battery at Ahua Point with two 12" M1895M1 guns mounted on M1917 Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on open concrete pads away from the magazine complex. Shells were moved from the magazines to the gun loading platform by shell carts. No shell or powder hoists were provided or needed. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant.

The M1917 Barbette Carriage allowed gun elevations of 35 degrees and azimuth traverses of 360 degree.

Battery Closson Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	444"	M1895M1		30	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #27, Watertown	1920-1948	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	444"	M1895M1		1	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #26, Watertown	1920-1948	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1938, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 154-155 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

File:Fort Kamehameha Battery Closson Plan.jpg

Battery Closson 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. The guns of Battery Closson were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Closson was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Pearl Harbor plan throughout World War II. The Battery was casemated in 1942. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on dd mm Honolulu County.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Kamehameha, Honolulu County, Hawaii Maps & Images Lat: 21.3191015 Long: -157.9338741 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 9' (trunnion elevation)

Sources:

Links:

• CDSG

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