Battery Ayres
Battery Ayres (1901-1942) - Battery Ayers was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), New York. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Col. Romeyn B. Ayers, 2nd U.S. Artillery, (MG U.S. Volunteers), who died 4 Dec 1888. Battery construction started 1899, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 30 Jul 1902 at a cost of $ 87,000.00. Deactivated in 1942.
Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1895 disappearing carriages.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895MI | 1 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1895, #24, Watertown | 1901-1918 | See note 1 | |
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888 | 26 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1895, #24, Watertown | 1918-1942 | See note 2 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895 | 10 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1895, #25, Watertown | 1901-1918 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888 | 45 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1895, #25, Watertown | 1918-1942 | See note 2 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, RCB, 31 Oct 1903, 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 148-149, 107 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 7 Aug 1918 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred from Fort Carroll (1), Battery Towson, 26 Jul 1918. Guns ordered salvaged 1 Jul 1944, carriages ordered scrapped 4 Nov 1942. 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.
World War II
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.5978796 Long: -74.0605062 |
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Visited: 15 Aug 2010
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