Battery Bohlen

Battery Bohlen (1901-1942) - Battery Henry Bohlen was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Foster (1), Gerrish Island, York County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Brigadier General Henry Bohlen, U.S. Volunteers, who was killed in action at Freemans Ford, Virginia, 22 Aug 1862, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 Dec 1901 at a cost of $ 158,000.00. Deactivated in 1942. Fort Foster, Battery Bohlen Gun Emplacement #3 with a Tree in Gun Pit Fort Foster, Battery Bohlen Gun Emplacement #1 with a Tree in Gun Pit Fort Foster, Battery Bohlen Gun Emplacement #2 Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 10" M1895 guns mounted on M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were originally moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Hodges electric shell hoists. The Hodges shell hoist were replaced by Taylor-Raymond back deliver shell hoists 11 Feb 1922. No powder hoists were provided. All three carriages were furnished with electric retraction motors. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant. Battery Bohlen Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 10" Rifle 369.15" M1895 1 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #69, Walker 1901-1917 1919-1942 See note 1 2 10" Rifle 369.15" M1895 13 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #70, Walker 1901-1917 1919-1942 See note 1 3 10" Rifle 369.15" M1895 14 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #65, Walker 1901-1917 1919-1942 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 31 Dec 1927, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 128-129 Note 1: Guns transferred to France 2 Oct 1917, guns transferred back 30 Oct 1919. Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 15 Dec 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Bohlen 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. On 17 Aug 1917 all three 10" guns of Battery Bohlen were ordered dismounted for use abroad. All three guns were transferred to France on 2 Oct 1917 and subsequently transferred back to Fort Foster (1) 30 Oct 1919. The guns were then remounted in Battery Bohlen. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Bohlen was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan only until 15 Dec 1942 when it was abandoned. The guns and carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Dec 1942. Current Status Part of Fort Foster City Park, Gerrish Island, York County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place. The first story of this battery is buried so that the gun pits are level with the ground. Location: Fort Foster City Park, Gerrish Island, York County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.06743 Long: -70.691775 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 56.39.' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: 20 Jun 2012