Battery Stevens

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Battery Stevens (1906-1946) - Battery Isaac Stevens 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, 1904, after Major General Isaac I. Stevens, U.S. Volunteers (1st lieutenant, Corps of Engineers), who served with distinction during the Mexican War and who was killed in action at Chantilly, Virginia, 1 Sep 1962, 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 $ 21,500.00. Deactivated in 1946.

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 mounts. 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 Stevens Armament (edit list)
Empl
No
Caliber
Type
Barrel
Length
Model Serial
No
Manufacturer Carriage Service
Dates
Notes
1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 47 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #47, Bethlehem 1906-1946 See note 1
2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 48 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #48, Bethlehem 1906-1946 See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1921, 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 processed for salvage 24 May 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA
Battery Stevens 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 Stevens were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Stevens was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Boston plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on 24 may 1946.

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: 42.325903 Long: -70.959776

  • Multi Maps from ACME
  • Maps from Bing
  • Maps from Google
  • Elevation: 29.3'

Sources:

  • U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

Visited: No



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