Battery Rice
Battery Rice (1904-1917) - Battery James Rice was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Andrews, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Brigadier General James C. Rice, U.S. Volunteers, who was killed in action at Laurel Hill, Virginia, 10 May 1864, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started 1899-1900, was completed 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 29 Dec 1904 at a cost of $ 23,800.00. Deactivated in 1917.
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1900 guns mounted on M1903 Pedestal 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 Raymond (hand) back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Cushing.
The pedestal mounts for the guns were not transferred from Watervliet until 1906 and 1908 and it is unclear when the battery was fully armed. On 31 Dec 1909, the engineers reported the guns mounted.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5" Rifle | 258.5" | M1900 | 3 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #1, Watervliet | 1908-1917 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 5" Rifle | 258.5" | M1900 | 5 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #2, Watervliet | 1906-1917 | See note 2 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1921, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 90-91 Note 1: Carriage transferred from Watervliet 2 Jan 1908, guns and carriages to Cape Henry 10 Feb 1917. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Carriage transferred from Watervliet 24 Feb 1906, guns and carriages to Cape Henry 10 Feb 1917. 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. The guns and carriages of Battery Rice were ordered transferred to Cape Henry (Fort Story, Battery Emergency B) for use in an emergency battery on 6 Feb 1917. The transfer was reported on 10 Feb 1917.
In 1925 a [C.R.F.] station for Battery Bumpus was built into the #1 gun emplacement of Battery Rice. This station was accepted for service on 20 Feb 1925 at a cost of 2,250.00. This station was further improved into a BCRF during World War II by adding a reinforced concrete roof and steel door. These modifications were accepted for service 18 Jan 1944 at a cost of $ 534.00.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Andrews, Plymouth County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.3017469 Long: -70.9295596 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG
Links:
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