Battery Butterfield

Battery Butterfield (1901-1944) - Battery Butterfield was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after MG Daniel Butterfield, U.S. Volunteers (Col., U.S. Army), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 17 Jul 1901. Battery construction started in December 1898, was completed in the Fall of 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 110,000.00. Deactivated in 1944. Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform originally by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. These hoists were replaced in 1916 by two Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists that were accepted for service on 15 Feb 1916. Electric power was furnished by the Battery Butterfield emplacement power plant. The original set of 12" guns was swapped out in 1911-1912 for a new set. Battery Butterfield Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes Original Set 1 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 30 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem 1901-1911 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 31 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem 1901-1912 See note 1 Second Set 1 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 38 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem 1911-1937 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 2 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem 1912-1937 See note 1 Third Set 1 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 7 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #21, Bethlehem 1937-1944 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 3 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #22, Bethlehem 1937-1944 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1927, RCB, 31 Dec 1910, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 148-149, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Butterfield 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 Butterfield were not affected by the World War I redistribution and the following 1920 disarmament program. In 1929 the 12" guns were again swapped out for a new set and another swap out took place in 1937. World War II The salvage of the armament and accessory equipment was directed on 22 Feb 1944. The guns and carriages were removed in October 1944. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York Maps & Images Lat: 41.254093 Long: -72.033714 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=30.02', Gun #2=31.02' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Long Island Sound, (HDLIS-AN-45), 15 Feb 1945, CDSG Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: No