Battery Richmond
Battery Richmond (1899-1942) - Battery Richmond was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), Richmond County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after Richmond County. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed 1899-1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 Sep 1899 at a cost of $ 96,992.04. Deactivated in 1942.
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Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MII guns mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages.
This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Two Hodges back delivery shell hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. The Hodges shell hoists were later replaced with two Taylor-Raymond electric shell hoists and the hoists were modified for the newer long point shells. One type C powder hoist.
Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MII | 5 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #26, Morgan | 1899-1942 | See note 1 | |
2 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MII | 28 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1896, #10, Bethlehem | 1899-1942 | See note 1 | |
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, 4 May 1945, RCB, 31 Oct 1903, 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 138-139, 207 Note 1: 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: 40.5987064 Long: -74.0594977 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of New York, (HDNY-AN-44), 1 Sep 1944, CDSG
Links:
Visited: 15 Aug 2010
Battery Richmond Picture Gallery
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