Battery Gadsden
Battery Gadsden (1906-1917) - Battery Gadsden was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. The battery was named in G.O. 113, 23 Jun 1904 after BG Christopher Gadsden, Col, 1st South Carolina, BG Continnental Army, who died 28 Aug 1805. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 10 Sep 1906 at a cost of $ 88,200.00. Deactivated in 1917.
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Battery Gadsden History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Charleston.
Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6" Rifle | 302.9" | M1903 | 64 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1903, #26, Morgan | 1906-1917 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 6" Rifle | 302.9" | M1903 | 15 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1903, #13, Morgan | 1906-1917 | See note 1 | |
| 3 | 6" Rifle | 302.9" | M1903 | 62 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1903, #14, Morgan | 1906-1917 | See note 1 | |
| 4 | 6" Rifle | 302.9" | M1903 | 63 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1903, #16, Rarig | 1906-1917 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1921, 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 98-99, 210 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917, carriages 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. All four of Battery Gadsden guns were transferred for service overseas on 31 Dec 1917 to Watervliet and eventually made it to France. They were returned to the U.S. in 1919 and sent to other locations. Battery Gadsden was not rearmed after World War I. All four disappearing carriages were scrapped 26 May 1920.
World War II
Current Status
Repurposed as the Edgar Allen Poe Branch of the Charleston County Library. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Moultrie, South Carolina Maps & Images Lat: 32.7594538 Long: -79.8408061 |
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Visited: 23 Jan 2010
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