Battery Dodd
Battery Dodd (1899-1917) - Battery Dodd was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4.72 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Delaware, Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Capt. Albert Dodd, 17th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 27 Jun 1862, at the battle of Gains Mill, Virginia. Battery construction started 22 Jun 1898, was completed 1 Dec 1898 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 28 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 19,429.85. Deactivated in 1917.
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Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4.72" Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong carriages.
Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4.72" Rifle | 218.4" | Armstrong | 9724 | Armstrong | Pedestal, Armstrong, #10845, Armstrong |
1899-1917 | See note 1 | |
2 | 4.72" Rifle | 218.4" | Armstrong | 9723 | Armstrong | Pedestal, Armstrong, #10839, Armstrong |
1899-1917 | See note 1 | |
Source: RCW Form 1, Jun 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 86-87, 208 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. The guns of Battery Dodd were directly affected by the Word War I redistribution program and they were dismounted and shipped to San Francisco in 1917. The guns were returned in 1919 after the war's end but were declared obsolete as a part of the larger disarmament program and finally donated to private organizations.
Timeline
- 1 Nov 1917 - Guns and carriages dismounted and transferred to San Francisco, later listed to be remounted and retained.
- 21 May 1919 - Guns and carriages transferred back to Fort Delaware.
- 22 Jul 1919 - A.G.O. approved scrapping of the guns of Battery Dodd.
- Apr-May 1921 - Guns and carriages donated to private organizations.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Delaware, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.588336 Long: -75.567999 |
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Visited: 6 Aug 2010
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