Battery Armistead (2)
Battery Armistead (2) (1942-1943) - Battery Armistead (2) was a reinforced concrete, World War II 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Varnum, Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Lewis G.A. Armistead, who was killed in action at Fort Erie, Upper Canada, September 1814 Battery construction started 18 Apr 1942, was completed 15 Jul 1942 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 29 Aug 1942 at a cost of $ 22,185.00. Deactivated in 1943.
World War II
Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay.
Originally built as an World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages. The guns and carriages were transferred from Fort Kearny (3), Battery Armistead (1) in 1942. Apparently the guns did not arrive in serviceable condition because the commander requested that they be scrapped. That request was denied and the guns and carriages were placed in storage at the beginning of 1943.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 170" | M1903 | 42 | Watervliet | Barbette, M1903, #33, American & British | 1942-1943 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 170" | M1903 | 44 | Watervliet | Barbette, M1903, #34, American & British | 1942-1942 | See note 2 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Dec 1942, 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 74-75, 205 Note 1: Gun and carriage processed for salvage 27 Mar 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun rendered unserviceable at Fort Kearny (3) and salvaged 14 Dec 1942, carriage processed for salvage 27 Mar 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place. The magazine and concrete gun platforms remain.
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Location: Fort Varnum, Washington County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.447013 Long: -71.432698 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Narragansett Bay, (HDNARB-AP-45), 1 Feb 1945, CDSG
Links:
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