Battery Smyth

Battery Smyth (1906-1921) - Battery Smyth was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Brevet Major General Thomas Smyth, U.S. Volunteers (brigadier general, U.S. Volunteers), who died 9 Apr 1865, of wounds received in action at Farmville, Virginia, 7 Apr 1865, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1903, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 31 May 1906 at a cost of $ 16,000.00. Deactivated in 1921. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant. Battery Smyth Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 43 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #43, Bethlehem 1906-1921 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 44 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #44, Bethlehem 1906-1921 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, November 1921, RCB, 31 Dec 1909 CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73 Note 1: Guns and carriages removed to Battery Basinger in November 1921. Battery Smyth 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 Smyth were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. The guns and carriages were removed in november 1921 to replace the guns and carriages in Battery Basinger. Current Status Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.328549 Long: -70.956866 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 29.4' Sources: Links: CDSG Visited: No