Battery Garesche

Battery Garesche (1906-1917) - Battery Garesche was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Williams (1), Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Lt. Colonel Julius P. Garesche, assistant adjutant general, U.S. Army, who was killed 31 Dec 1862, at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 Oct 1906 at a cost of $ 48,990.89. Deactivated in 1917. Assigned Location ID ME00074. Battery Garesche Emplacement #1 Battery Garesche Emplacement #2 Battery Garesche Magazines Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1903 Disappearing carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on raised platforms and a common magazine between them. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand truck. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant or the Battery Blair power plant. Battery Garesche Magazine #1 Entrance Battery Garesche Emplacement #1 Counterweight Well Battery Garesche Emplacement #1 Battery Garesche Emplacement #2 Battery Garesche Emplacement #2 Battery Garesche Emplacement #2 Magazine Entrance Battery Garesche Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 45 Watervliet Disappearing, M1903, #11, Morgan 1906-1917 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 310.4" M1900 46 Watervliet Disappearing, M1903, #12, Morgan 1906-1917 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Dec 1920, RCB, 31 Dec 1903, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 98-99 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 1 Dec 1917, carriages ordered salvaged 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Garesche 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 Garesche were ordered dismounted for use abroad on 24 Aug 1917. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 1 Dec 1917 for modification and gun #45 actually made it to France. The guns were not returned or replaced after the end of the war and the carriages were finally ordered salvaged 26 May 1920. Current Status Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. Maps & Images Lat: 43.620807 Long: -70.210474 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 64.075', Gun #2= 64.090' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: 5 Jun 2013