Battery Belton

Battery Belton (1907-1925) - Battery Belton was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Adams (1), Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Col. Francis S. Belton, 4th U.S. Artillery, who served with distinction during the War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War, and who died 10 Sep 1861. Battery construction started in October 1903, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 31 Jul 1907 at a cost of $ 15,800.00. Deactivated in 1925. Battery Belton Gun Emplacement #1. Battery Belton Gun Emplacement #2. Battery Belton 25 Apr 2020 after restoration. Battery Belton in 2012 before restoration. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Pedestal mounts. This is a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and magazines below. No shell or powder hoists provided. Electrical power from the power plant in Battery Edgerton. Battery Belton Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 170" M1903 30 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #24, American & British 1907-1925 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 170" M1903 31 Watervliet Pedestal, M1903, #25, American & British 1907-1925 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1,15 Jun 1925, 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 74-75,204 Note 1:Guns and carriages transferred to Fort Wetherill, Battery Crittenden 7 Feb 1925. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Belton Plan 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 Belton were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program. On 7 Feb 1925 both guns and carriages were transferred to Fort Wetherill and mounted in Battery Crittenden and Battery Belton was deactivated. Current Status Part of Fort Adams State Park. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Adams, Newport County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.47228 Long: -71.34560 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 37' See Also: Fort Adams (1) Battery Edgerton Sources: RCW Form 1, 15 Jun 1925, 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 74-75. Links: CDSG Visited: 31 May 2012