Battery Lee (2)

Battery Lee (2) (1905-1943) - Battery Henry Lee (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wool (1), Virginia. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after MG Henry Lee ("Light-Horse Harry"), U.S. Army, who received the thanks of Congress for his services during the Revolutionary War, and who died 25 Mar 1818. Battery construction started June 1902, was completed 25 May 1905, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 15 Nov 1905 at a cost of $ 40,000.00. Deactivated in 1943. Fort Wool (1), Battery Lee Gun Emplacement #4 Fort Wool (1), Battery Lee Magazine Interior Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Chesapeake Bay. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 pedestal carriages. This was a two-story battery with the guns on the upper level and a separate magazine for each gun emplacement on the lower level. Electrical power was furnished from the power plant between Battery Claiborne and Battery Dyer. Battery Lee (2) Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 8 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #8, Bethlehem 1905-1942 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 9 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #9, Bethlehem 1905-1942 See note 1 3 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 10 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #10, Bethlehem 1905-1943 See note 2 4 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 11 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #11, Bethlehem 1905-1943 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1919, 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 74-75, 208 Note 1: Guns & carriages transferred to Fort Story 8 Jul 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns & carriages transferred to Fort Story 24 Mar 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Lee (2) 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 Battery Lee guns were not affected by the World War II redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program. World War II The guns and carriages were transferred to Fort Story, two in 1942, and two in 1943. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Now sealed and covered with sand. Location: Fort Wool (1), Ripp Rapp Island, Hampton City, Virginia. Now sealed and covered with sand. Maps & Images Lat: 36.98652 Long: -76.3020015 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 25.33' Sources: Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: 23 Jun 2010