Battery Barlow (2)
Battery Barlow (2) (1901-1943) - Battery Barlow (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after MG Francis C. Barlow, U.S. Volunteers, who distinguished himself in the battle of Spottsylvania, 9 May 1864, during the U.S. Civil War, and who died on 11 Jan 1896. Battery construction started in December 1898, was completed in the Fall of 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 7 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 110,000.00. Deactivated in 1943.
Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1895 guns mounted on M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform originally by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. These hoists were replaced in 1915 by two Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists that were accepted for service on 6 Aug 1915. Electric power was furnished by the Battery Butterfield emplacement power plant.
The original set of 10" M1895 guns was swapped out in 1914 for a set of M1888II guns.
In 1914 a BC station and plotting room were built in the rear of Battery Barlow and accepted for service on 27 Mar 1914.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Set | |||||||||
| 1 | 10" Rifle | 369.15" | M1895 | 5 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #54, Watertown | 1901-1914 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 10" Rifle | 369.15" | M1895 | 10 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #66, Walker | 1901-1914 | See note 1 | |
| Second Set | |||||||||
| 1 | 10" Rifle | 367.25" | M1888MII | 47 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #54, Watertown | 1914-1936 | See note 2 | |
| 2 | 10" Rifle | 367.25" | M1888MII | 38 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #66, Walker | 1914-1936 | See note 2 | |
| Third Set | |||||||||
| 1 | 10" Rifle | 367.25" | M1888MII | 41 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #54, Watertown | 1936-1943 | See note 3 | |
| 2 | 10" Rifle | 367.25" | M1888MII | 45 | Bethlehem | Disappearing, M1896, #66, Walker | 1936-1943 | See note 3 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1927, 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 124-125, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns mounted 17, 23 Oct 1914. Guns ordered scrapped 29 Jan 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 3: Guns transferred from Fort Wetherill 2 Dec 1936. Guns & carriages ordered scrapped 29 Jan 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
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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 guns of Battery Barlow were not affected by the World War I redistribution and the following 1920 disarmament program.
In 1936 the 10" M1888MII guns (#47 & #38) were swapped out for a new set (#41 & #45).
World War II
On 29 Jan 1943 both guns were ordered scrapped.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.254545 Long: -72.034347 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG
Links:
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