Battery Kearny-Chase

Battery Kearny-Chase (1901-1942) - Battery Kearny-Chase was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Preble, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was originally named Battery Kearny in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903 after Brevet Major Stephen W. Kearny, U.S. Army, who served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and who died 31 Oct 1848, at St. Louis, Missouri. The battery was administratively divided into two batteries by G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, which named mortar pits A-C as Battery Constantine Chase after Lt. Colonel Constantine Chase, Artillery Corps, who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 20 Sep 1902. Mortar pits B-D retained the Battery Kearny name. Battery construction started in 1896, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 226,205.37. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with sixteen 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages divided into four mortar pits (A-D) with four mortars in each pit (1-4). The battery was administratively divided into two batteries in 1906.

Each mortar pit had a data booth at the rear that conveyed azimuth and elevation information to the gun crews and directed the firing. The data booth was connected to the plotting room via telephone. Behind the mortar pits was a concrete magazine that stored the shells and powder. The magazine was protected with a 20' covering of earth. Shells and powder were wheeled from the magazine to the mortar loading platforms on shot carts.

**Battery Kearny-Chase Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
Battery Kearny Original 16 Mortar Configuration
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	30	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #36, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	33	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #69, Robert Poole	1901-1918	See note 3
A3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	26	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #40, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	17	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #57, Robert Poole	1901-1918	See note 3
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	34	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #30, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	44	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #38, Robert Poole	1901-1911	See note 2
B3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	38	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #14, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	24	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #43, Robert Poole	1901-1911	See note 2
C1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	19	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #77, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
C2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	36a	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #72, Robert Poole	1901-1918	See note 3
C3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	37	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #78, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
C4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	20	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #73, Robert Poole	1901-1919	See note 4
D1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	47	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #33, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
D2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	10	Niles	Mortar, M1896MI, #32, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
D3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	45	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #49, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
D4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	36b	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #31, Robert Poole	1901-1918	See note 3
Battery Kearny Final 4 Mortar Configuration
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	30	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #36, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	26	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #40, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	19	Builders	Mortar, M1896MI, #77, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	37	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #78, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
Battery Chase Final 2 Mortar Configuration
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	47	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #33, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890MI	45	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896MI, #49, Robert Poole	1901-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1,1 Dec 1920, RCB, 31 Dec 1903, 1 Dec 1910, 1 Dec 1916, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-143. Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped 15 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages removed to West Point 18 Jan 1911. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 3: Guns and carriages removed to Morgan 24 May 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 4: Guns and carriages removed to Morgan 14 May 1919. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

File:Fort Preble Battery Kearny-Chase Plan.jpg

Battery Kearny-Chase 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.

World War II

Current Status

These batteries are buried under new construction. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Preble, Cumberland County, Maine

Maps & Images

Lat: 43.64724 Long: -70.227882

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Elevation: 28.5'

Sources:

U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG

Links:

CDSG

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