Battery Sullivan

Battery Sullivan (1898-1938) - Battery Sullivan was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Williams (1), Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Major General John Sullivan, Continental Army, who served with distinction in the Revolutionary War and the Indian Wars and who died 23 Jan 1795, at Durham, New Hampshire. Battery construction started in 1894, was completed in 1898 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 8 Jun 1898 at a cost of $ 107,063.49. Deactivated in 1938. Assigned Location ID ME00072. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1888MI guns mounted on M1894MI Disappearing carriages and one 10" M1888MII mounted on an M1896 Disappearing carriage. 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 three back delivery Taylor-Raymond shell hoists that were accepted for service 23 Aug 1907. Three Type C powder hoists were accepted for service on 14 Oct 1912. The disappearing carriages were fitted with electric retraction motors. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant and the central power plant. Battery Sullivan Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes Original Guns 1 10" Rifle 340"" M1888 22 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #16, Pond 1898-1918 See note 1 2 10" Rifle 340"" M1888 40 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #10, Kilby 1898-1918 See note 1 3 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MII 50 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #11, Southwark 1898-1918 See note 1 Replacement Guns 1 10" Rifle 367.25"" M1888MII 4 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #16, Pond 1919-1932 See note 2 2 10" Rifle 367.25"" M1888MII 5 Watervliet Disappearing, M1894MI, #10, Kilby 1919-1932 See note 2 3 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MII 11 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #11, Southwark 1919-1932 See note 2 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Dec 1920, RCB, 31 Dec 1916, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-127 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 28 Jun 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns transferred from Watervliet November 1919, guns and carriages ordered scrapped 4 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Sullivan Plan Emplacement #1 Battery Sullivan Plan Emplacements #2 and #3 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 Sullivan were removed for service abroad and shipped off in 1918 but they were replaced in 1919 with different serial numbered guns. Battery Sullivan was declared no longer required by the Secretary of War on 17 May 1932 but the guns and carriages were not ordered scrapped until 4 Nov 1942. The battery structure was used during World War II as a Harbor Defense Control Post (HDCP). Current Status Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Part of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland County, Maine. Maps & Images Lat: 43.624438 Long: -70.21041 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 79.907', Gun #2= 69.897', Gun #3= 69.860' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: No