Battery Beecher

Battery Beecher (1900-1920) - Battery Beecher was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Schuyler (1), Throggs Neck, Bronx County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 1st Lieutenant Frederick H. Beecher, 3rd U.S. Infantry, brevet captain, U.S. Army, who was killed 17 Sep 1868, in action with Indians at Delaware Creek Kansas. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Dec 1900 at a cost of $ 8,011.96. Battery deactivated in 1920. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Eastern New York. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI Driggs-Seabury guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet mouunts. 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 hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant. Battery Beecher Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 26 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #26, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 27 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #27, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Apr 1920, 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 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet on 1 Sep 1920, carriages ordered scrapped 20 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Beecher 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 Beecher were not affected by the World War I redistribution but the following 1920 disarmament program caused the battery to be deactivated, the guns shipped back to Watervliet and the carriages scrapped. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 1 Sep 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped on 20 May 1920. Current Status Destroyed. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Schuyler, Throggs Neck, Bronx County, New York. Map point is approximate Maps & Images Lat: 40.80611 Long: -73.79167 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 27.5' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: No