Battery Allen

Battery Allen (1901-1920) - Battery Allen was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Delaware, Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lt. Robert Allen, jr, 1st U.S. Cavalry, who died 27 Jun 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started 21 Mar 1899, was completed in Nov 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 18 Apr 1901 at a cost of $ 3,800.00. Deactivated in 1920. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 balance pillar carriages. Battery Allen Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 18 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #18, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 21 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #21, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Sep 1924, 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, 208 Note 1: Carriages scrapped 20 May 1920, guns transferred to Watervliet 4 Aug 1920. 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 Battery Allen guns were not affected by the World War I redistribution but were removed under the 1920 disarmament program. On 27 Mar 1920 the AGO approved the removal of the Battery Allen guns and carriages. The carriages were ordered scrapped 20 May 1920 and the gun tubes were transferred to Watervliet 4 Aug 1920. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Delaware, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.589183 Long: -75.567728 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 50.9' Recent Blog Posts: Fort Mott, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont on the Delaware River Sources: Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: 6 Aug 2010