Battery Ramsay

Battery Ramsay (1906-1920) - Battery Ramsay was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 may 1903, after 1st Lieutenant Douglas Ramsay, 1st U.S. Artillery, who was killed 21 Jul 1862, at the battle of Bull Run, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 26 May 1906 at a cost of $ 9,103.10. Deactivated in 1920.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Balanced Pillar 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 hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

Battery Ramsay Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		113	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #113, Driggs-Seabury	1906-1920	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		114	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #114, Driggs-Seabury	1906-1920	See note 1
Source: RCB, 31 Dec 1910, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 70-71 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet on 8 Jul 1920, carriages ordered salvaged 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Ramsay Plan

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. Both of the guns of Battery Ramsay were transferred to Watervliet on 8 Jul 1920 and the carriages were ordered salvaged 20 May 1920.

Current Status

Mostly private property on Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.682357 Long: -70.188193 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....'

Sources:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort McKinley Military Reservation D01ME042402, December 1994, Portland , ME. Large pdf download

Links:

• CDSG

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