Battery French

Battery French (1908-1917) - Battery French was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Kearny (3), Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after MG William H. French, U.S. Volunteers (Col., 4th U.S. Artillery), who served with distinction during the Mexican-American War and the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in April 1904, was completed in November 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 102,427.64. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 6" M1905 guns mounted on M1903 Disappearing carriages. This was a one story battery with each pair of the four gun emplacements sharing a common magazine. The gun loading platforms were slightly raised from the magazine level and reached by a short flight of stairs. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electric power was provided from an internal power plant in a central set of rooms dividing the two sets of gun emplacements, a latrine was furnished at the rear of emplacement #4.

Battery French Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905		25	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #9, Watertown	1908-1917	See note 1
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905		24	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #10, Watertown	1908-1917	See note 1
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905		26	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #69, Watertown	1908-1917	See note 1
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1905		23	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #70, Watertown	1908-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Jun 1925, 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, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery French 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.

Current Status

Part of the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus on Narragansett Bay, Washington County, Rhode Island. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Part of the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus on Narragansett Bay, Washington County, Rhode Island. Maps & Images Lat: 41.490461 Long: -71.422736 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

Links:

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

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