Battery Basinger

Battery Basinger (1901-1946) - Battery Basinger was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 2nd Lieutenant William E. Basinger (Cullum 588), 2nd U.S. Artillery, who was killed 28 Dec 1835, in action with Seminole Indians at Withhlacoochee River, Florida. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 6 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 18,780.00. Deactivated in 1946. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet 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 two hand operated Taylor front delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant. Battery Basinger Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes Original Configuration (1901-1920) 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 36 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #36, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 34 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #34, Driggs-Seabury 1901-1920 See note 1 Replacement Configuration (1921-1946) 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 43 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #43, Bethlehem 1921-1947 See note 2 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 44 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #44, Bethlehem 1921-1947 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, November 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 70-71, 72-73 Note 1: Guns transferred 8 Jul 1920 to Watervliet, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages processed for salvage 24 May 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Basinger 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. The guns of Battery Basinger were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program ordered the original guns removed on 8 Jul 1920 to Watervliet and ordered the carriages scrapped on 20 May 1920. Replacement guns and carriages were moved from Battery Smyth into Battery Basinger in November 1921. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Basinger was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Boston plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on 24 May 1946. Current Status Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.330788 Long: -70.956376 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Old Gun #1= 33.39', Old Gun #2= 33.34', New Guns = 33.4' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: No