Battery King
Battery King (1900-1935) - Battery King was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Totten (3), New York. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900 after Ltc. William R. King, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War and was the designer of a successful counterpoise gun carriage for seacoast guns. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed on 6 Aug 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 6 Aug 1900 at a cost of $ 19,329.49. Deactivated in 1935.
Endicott Period
The Endicott Period mortar battery was built over the 1870s muzzle loaded mortar battery built as a concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896 mortar carriages.
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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 mortars of Battery King were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the subsequent 1920 disarmament program.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place. Battery buried by the WPA in the 1930s.
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Location: Fort Totten, New York Queens Countyy, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.79472 Long: -73.77889 |
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Visited: 21 Aug 2010
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