Battery Urmston
Battery Urmston (1903-1946) - Battery Thomas Urmston was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Capt. Thomas Urmston, U.S. Army (1st Lt., 12th U.S. Infantry), who was killed in action at Chapel House , Virginia, 1 Oct 1864. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 27 feb 1903 at a cost of $ 25,400.00. Deactivated in 1946.
Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 pedestal mounts and four 3" M1898 guns mounted on balanced pillar mounts.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 89 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #89, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 90 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #90, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 3 | 3" Rifle | 170" | M1903 | 75 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #59, Watertown |
1909-1946 | See note 2 | |
| 4 | 3" Rifle | 170" | M1903 | 76 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #60, Watertown |
1909-1946 | See note 2 | |
| 5 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 101 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #101, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| 6 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1898MI | 102 | Driggs-Seabury | Masking Parapet, M1898, #102, Driggs-Seabury |
1903-1920 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1921, 15 Sep 1943, RCB, 31 Oct 1903, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71, 74-75, 207 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 17 Aug 1920, carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Carriages transferred from Watertown 28 Apr 1909. Guns and carriages declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945 and processed for salvaging 28 May 1946. 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. The gun tubes of Battery Urmston were not part of the World War I redistribution but the four 3" Driggs-Seabury guns were ordered removed on 27 Mar 1920 as a part of the 1920 disarmament plan. The two 3" M1903 guns remained in place.
World War II
Current Status
Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place.
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4709613 Long: -74.0086859 |
Sources:
Links:
Visited: 14 Aug 2010
Battery Urmston Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |