Battery Stevenson

Battery Stevenson (1903-1945) - Battery Stevenson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Warren, George's Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Brigadier General Thomas G. Stevenson, the first colonel of the 24th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, who was killed in action at Spottsylvania, Virginia, on 10 May 1864, while in command of the 1st Division of the 9th Army Corps, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 20 Jan 1903 at a cost of $ 144,495.00. Deactivated in 1945. Fort Warren, Battery Stevenson, Gun Emplacement #1 Fort Warren, Battery Stevenson, Gun Emplacement #2 Fort Warren, Battery Stevenson, Gun Emplacement #2 Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts. Battery Stevenson Ammunition Hoist Battery Stevenson Magazine Hoist Room Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This battery was built into the east side casemates of old Fort Warren and the gun platforms are somewhat higher than normal. About 40' of earth fill covers the outside wall and tapers down to ground level. 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 originally by two Hodges back delivery electric shell hoists that were later replaced in 1918 by Taylor-Raymond back delivery electric shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Because the battery was built atop the old casemates the old casemates were modified to serve as magazines for the battery. The ceilings were very high in the old casemates so the ammunition hoist configuration was different from the standard Endicott Period hoist installation. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant and an emplacement power plant. Battery Stevenson Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 33 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #10, Robert Poole 1903-1944 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 34 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #11, Robert Poole 1903-1944 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 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 148-149 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 4 Apr 1944. Carriages ordered salvaged 27 Mar 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Stevenson Plan World War I (1917-1918) Battery Stevenson, BC Station 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 Stevenson were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Stevenson was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Boston plan during World War II until 18 Mar 1944 when it was authorized for salvage. The guns were transferred to Watervliet 4 Apr 1944 and the carriages were ordered salvaged 27 Mar 1944. Current Status Part of Fort Warren State Park on George's Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. No period guns or mounts in place. This battery is open to public access in the magazines and the gun emplacements. Transportation to the Island is by boat. See the Fort Warren page for island access details. Location: Fort Warren (2) on George's Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Maps & Images Lat: 42.320244 Long: -70.926538 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 70' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: 24 May 2012