Battery Wooster
Battery Wooster (1901-1917) - Battery Wooster was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mansfield, Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after BG David Wooster, of Connecticut, who served with distinction in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and who died on 2 May 1777, of wounds received at the battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut, on 27 Apr 1777. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed 1 Jul 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 18 Feb 1901 at a cost of $ $75,000.00. Deactivated in 1917.
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Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 8" M1888MI guns mounted on M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two electric front delivery Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. Electric power was furnished by an emplacement power plant in the center traverse of the battery.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8" Rifle | 278.5" | M1888MI | 12 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1896, #35, Lake Erie | 1901-1917 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 8" Rifle | 278.5" | M1888MI | 13 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1896, #34, Lake Erie | 1901-1917 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Nov 1921, 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 110-111, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
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. On 24 Aug 1917 the two 8" guns of Battery Wooster were ordered dismounted for service abroad. On 21 Dec 1917 the guns were transferred to Watervliet. The carriages were scrapped in May 1918. The battery was not rearmed.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Napatree Point, Washington County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.306421 Long: -71.884763 |
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