Battery Read
Battery Read (1899-1918) - Battery Read was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort DuPont (1), Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 feb 1902, after George Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the State of Delaware. Battery construction started 1 May 1898, was completed 31 Dec 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 12 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 80,829.68. Deactivated in 1918.
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Battery Read History
Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MI1/2 guns mounted on M1892 Barbette carriages.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MI1/2 | 37 | Morgan | Barbette, M1892, #21, Morgan | 1899-1918 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MI1/2 | 38 | Morgan | Barbette, M1892, #22, Morgan | 1899-1918 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Sep 1924, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 136-137, 208 Note 1: Guns transferred to Fort Hamilton, Battery Doubleday 1 Jul 1918. One carriage scrapped 16 Jun 1918, one sent to Fort Hancock. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I
The battery was declared obsolete in 1915 and the guns were transferred to Fort Hamilton, Battery Doubleday on 1 Jul 1918. One carriage scrapped 16 Jun 1918, one sent to Fort Hancock.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort DuPont State Park, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.5682412 Long: -75.5784166 |
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Visited: 6 Aug 2010
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