Battery Gantt

Battery Gantt (1904-1920) - Battery Gantt was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Screven, Chatham County, Georgia. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lieutenant Levi Gantt, 7th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 13 Sep 1847, at the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico. Battery construction started 9 Dec 1899, was completed in February 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 6 Jan 1904 at a cost of $ 10,220. Battery deactivated in 1920.

Battery Gantt Emplacement #2	Battery Gantt Magazine #2 Entrance
Battery Gantt with Condo Built Over

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Savannah.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI Driggs-Seabury guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mouunts. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and two magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Fenwick.

Battery Gantt Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		116	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #116, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		117	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #117, Driggs-Seabury	1904-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Aug 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 70-71 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet on 25 Aug 1920, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Gantt 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 Gantt were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program caused the battery to be deactivated, the guns shipped back to Watervliet and the carriages scrapped. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 25 Aug 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped on 20 May 1920.

Current Status

Private property, built over. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Tybee Island, Chatham County, Georgia Maps & Images Lat: 32.023525 Long: -80.845956 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 31.017'

Sources:

Links:

• CDSG

Visited: 19 Jan 2010

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