Battery Dutton

Battery Dutton (1901-1944) - Battery Dutton was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after Col. Arthur H. Dutton (Cullum 1935), 21st Connecticut Infantry (Capt., Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army), and Bvt. BG of Volunteers, who died on 5 Jun 1864, of wounds received in front of Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, on 26 May 1864, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in December 1898 was completed in the Fall of 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 78,000.00. Deactivated in 1944.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform originally by three electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. These hoists were removed in 1915. Electric power was furnished by the Battery Butterfield emplacement power plant.

All three guns were mounted in June 1902.

Battery Dutton Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		16	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #26, Philadelphia	1902-1944	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		14	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #24, Philadelphia	1902-1944	See note 1
3	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI		18	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1898, #25, Philadelphia	1902-1944	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1926, 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, 205 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 7 May 1937, carriages ordered scrapped 9 Mar 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

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

The gun cards reflect that these three guns were transferred to Watervliet on 7 May 1937 and no indication that they were replaced.

World War II

Salvage of armament and necessary equipment directed 22 Feb 1944. The guns and carriages were salvaged in October 1944.

Current Status

Battery mostly buried. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.254267 Long: -72.030605 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 22.4'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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