Battery DeHart
Battery DeHart (1898-1942) - Battery DeHart was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Williams, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Captain Henry V. DeHart, 5th U.S. Artillery, who died 13 Jul 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Gains Mill, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1893, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 106,757.08. Deactivated in 1942.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 10" M1888MI gun and one 10" M1888MII gun, both mounted on M1894MI Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Taylor-Raymond shell hoists accepted for service 23 Aug 1907. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10" Rifle | 340" | M1888MI | 32 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1894MI, #9, Kilby | 1898-1942 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 10" Rifle | 367.25" | M1888MII | 47 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1894MI, #18, Pond | 1898-1942 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 31 May 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-123 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 15 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I (1917-1918)
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. Battery Dehart's guns were listed to be dismounted for service abroad but were ordered remounted before they could be shipped.
World War II (1941-1945)
Battery DeHart was obsolete at the beginning of World War II. The guns and carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Dec 1942.
Current Status
Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. Maps & Images Lat: 43.623359 Long: -70.209621 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG
Links:
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Battery DeHart Picture Gallery
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