Battery Dudley

Battery Dudley (1913-1946) - Battery Dudley was a reinforced concrete, Taft Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort De Russy, Honolulu County, Hawaii. The battery was named in G.O. 59, 1911, after Brigadier General Edgar S. Dudley (Cullum 2326). Battery construction started in July 1909, was completed in July 1913 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 5 Aug 1913 at a cost of $ 76,160. Upgraded in 1937. Deactivated in 1946.

Taft Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Honolulu.

Originally built as an Taft Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1908 guns mounted on M1905M1 Disappearing carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on the same level as the magazines. Shells were moved from the magazines to the gun loading platform by shell carts. No shell or powder hoists were needed or provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Randolph and by commercial power.

Battery Dudley Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	309.8"	M1908		1	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905M1, #18, Watertown	1913-1946	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	309.8"	M1908		2	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905M1, #19, Watertown	1913-1946	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 31 Mar 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 100-101 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Dudley Plan 1942

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 Dudley were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Dudley was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Honolulu plan during World War II. In 1943 Battery Dudley was placed on standby status, in 1944 the battery was declared surplus and the guns and carriages were ordered salvaged on 12 Aug 1944.

Current Status

Battery destroyed, no period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort De Russy, Honolulu County, Hawaii. Maps & Images Lat: 21.279381 Long: -157.834496 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1 = 22.929', Gun #2 = 22.901'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 241-242
• Dorance, William H., Fort DeRussy, The Coast Defense Study Group Journal, Vol 12, Issue 1, February 1998, page 16-29
• Gaines, Willian C., A History of Fort De Russy, The Coast Defense Study Group Journal, Vol 24, Issue 4, November 2010, page 47-95

Links:

• CDSG

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