Battery Plunkett
Battery Plunkett (1899-1920) - Battery Plunkett was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Warren, Georges Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Sergeant Thomas Plunkett, Company E, 21st Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, who had both arms shot off while carrying the colors on 13 Dec 1862, in the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 21 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 9,083.90. Deactivated in 1920.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4" M1896 guns mounted on M1896 Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the 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 central power plant.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4" Rifle | 163.94" | M1896 | 1 | Driggs-Schroeder | Pedestal, M1896, #1, Driggs-Schroeder | 1899-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 4" Rifle | 163.94" | M1896 | 2 | Driggs-Schroeder | Pedestal, M1896, #2, Driggs-Schroeder | 1899-1920 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1929, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 84-85 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 12 Aug 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
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 Plunkett were not affected by the World War I redistribution but were declared obsolete and scrapped in 1920.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Georges Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Maps & Images Lat: 42.321083 Long: -70.926828 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG
Links:
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