Battery Capron

Battery Capron (1898-1942) - Battery Capron was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. The battery was originally named Fort Capron in G.O. 112, 6 Aug 1898 after Capt. Allyn K. Capron, 1st Regiment, U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (2nd Lt. 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army), who was killed at the battle of La Quasina, 24 Jun 1898, during the Spanish-American War. Renamed Battery Capron in G.O. 134, 1899. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 28 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 92,678.76. In 1906 the battery was administratively split into two batteries and the new battery was designated Battery Butler. Deactivated in 1942.

Battery Capron History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Charleston.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with sixteen 12" M1886 mortars mounted on M1891 mortar carriages. Originally the battery was divided into four mortar pits with four mortars in each pit. After a series of reconfigurations and mortar replacements Battery Capron ended up with two mortar pits with two M1890MI mortars in each pit, all mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages.

**Battery Capron (1909) Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	62	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #58, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	51	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #60, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	120"	M1886	28	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #65, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	32	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #61, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	33	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #62, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	45	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #36, Builders	1898-1920	See note 1
B3	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	57	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #37, Robert Poole	1898-1920	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	120"	M1886	2	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #35, Builders	1898-1920	See note 1
Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1909, 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 134-135, 210 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 26 May 1920 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

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 Capron (1925) Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	24	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #5, Robert Poole	1920-1942	Gun from Watertown. See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	7	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #7, Robert Poole	1920-1942	Gun from Watervliet (France). See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	21	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #11, Robert Poole	1920-1942	Gun from Aberdeen. See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	128	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #12, Robert Poole	1920-1942	Gun from Aberdeen. See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Oct 1925, 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 140-141, 210 Note 1:Guns transferred 6 Feb 1920 and 2 Apr 1920, carriages transferred 30 Jun 1920 from Fort Monroe. Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 6 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

World War II

All four of the remaining mortars and carriages were ordered salvaged on 6 Dec 1942.

Current Status

Destroyed.

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Location: Fort Moultrie, South Carolina

Maps & Images

Lat: 32.7626386 Long: -79.8396581

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Elevation: 17.31'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

Visited: 23 Jan 2010

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