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

Part of the Harbor Defense of Eastern New York.

The Endicott Period mortar battery was built over an 1870s muzzle loaded mortar battery. The battery was built as a Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896 mortar carriages.

Battery King Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		14	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #51, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		16	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #50, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		31	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #53, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		17	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #52, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		13	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #55, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		11	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #47, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
B3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		27	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #54, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI		18	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #48, Robert Poole	1900-1935	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Apr 1920, 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 144-145, 206 Note 1:

Battery King Plan

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 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 76.50'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

Visited: 21 Aug 2010

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