Battery Henry Adair

Battery Henry Adair (1916-1919) - Battery Henry Adair was a reinforced concrete, World War I 6 inch coastal gun battery on Ford Island, Honolulu County, Hawaii. The battery was named Battery Henry Adair in G.O. 13, 16 Jan 1917, after 1st Lt. Henry R. Adair, (Cullum 4309), 10th U.S. Cavalry, who was killed in action at Carrizal, Mexico, on 21 Jun 1916. Battery construction started in August 1916, was completed in December 1917 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 17 Dec 1917 at a cost of $ 59,045. Designated for the land defenses of Oahu. Deactivated in 1919. Battery Henry Adair Magazine Room Entrance. Battery Henry Adair Magazine Level. Battery Henry Adair Gun Emplacement Covered over by Quarters "K" on Ford Island, HI. World War I (1917-1918) Part of the Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor. Originally built as a World War I concrete casemated coastal gun battery with two 6" Armstrong M1898 guns mounted on M1898 Armstrong Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on the same level as the magazines. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by cart and by hand. No shell or powder hoists were needed or provided. Battery Henry Adair Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 249.25" M1898 12133 Armstrong Barbette, M1898, #11159, Armstrong 1917-1919 See note 1 2 6" Rifle 249.25" M1898 12137 Armstrong Barbette, M1898, #11163, Armstrong 1917-1919 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 31 Mar 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 92-93, 218. Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA - The original order to scrap the guns and carriages came on 22 Jul 1919. Gun & Carriage cards indicate that the carriages were recorded as scrapped on 6 Sep 1921 and the guns were salvaged on the same date but later entries indicate that the guns were both retained on 23 Dec 1922 as "ornaments", location unspecified. Battery Henry Adair Plan 1919 Battery Henry Adair September 1922. 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 6" guns of Battery Henry Adair remained in place until they were directed to be scrapped on 22 Jul 1919 along with most of the inventory of 6" Armstrong carriages and guns. Gun & Carriage cards indicate that the carriages were recorded as scrapped on 6 Sep 1921 and the guns were salvaged on the same date but later entries indicate that the guns were both retained on 23 Dec 1922 as "ornaments", location unspecified. During the 7 Dec 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that opened World War II, the Battery was used to provide shelter for nearby military families, accomodating some 200 people. The Battleship Arizona was sunk just yards away from the Battery location. Current Status Battery Henry Adair location Outline Battery Henry Adair was over built by the construction of Quarters "K" on Ford Island in 1936. Quarters "K" became the commander's quarters and was first occupied in 1937. The lower level of magazine rooms remained intact as did at least one gun emplacements. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Ford Island, Honolulu County, Hawaii. Maps & Images Lat: 21.368 Long: -157.951 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 21' 1.5" (Trunnion Level) See Also: Battery Boyd Coastal Battery Gun List Fort Kamehameha Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor Sources: Historic American Buildings Survey, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Battery Adair (U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Naval Station Ford Island) (U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Fallout Shelter) (Facility No. 446) HABS No. Hl-432, Pdf. Battery Henry Adair RCW Form 1, 31 Mar 1919, CDSG Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 92-93, 218.. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Links: CDSG Historic Hawaii Foundation - Nob Hill Visited: No