Battery Kearny-Chase

 (1901-1942) - Battery Kearny-Chase was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Preble, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was originally named Battery Kearny in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903 after Brevet Major Stephen W. Kearny, U.S. Army, who served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and who died 31 Oct 1848, at St. Louis, Missouri. The battery was administratively divided into two batteries by G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, which named mortar pits A-C as Battery Constantine Chase after Lt. Colonel Constantine Chase, Artillery Corps, who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 20 Sep 1902. Mortar pits B-D retained the Battery Kearny name. Battery construction started in 1896, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 8 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 226,205.37. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with sixteen 12" M1890MI mortars mounted on M1896MI mortar carriages divided into four mortar pits (A-D) with four mortars in each pit (1-4). The battery was administratively divided into two batteries in 1906.

Each mortar pit had a data booth at the rear that conveyed azimuth and elevation information to the gun crews and directed the firing. The data booth was connected to the plotting room via telephone. Behind the mortar pits was a concrete magazine that stored the shells and powder. The magazine was protected with a 20' covering of earth. Shells and powder were wheeled from the magazine to the mortar loading platforms on shot carts.

The New York Times, 24 Nov 1901 reported that test firings that week were a "remarkable success" and that local buildings were damaged by the concussion.



World War I
Six mortars (4 from Battery Chase and 2 from Battery Kearny) were ordered dismounted and prepared for shipment on 3 May 1918. Five of the mortars were transferred to Morgan on 24 May 1918 and one was transferred to Morgan on 14 May 1919.

World War II
The remaining mortars in Battery Kearny and Battery Chase were obsolete at the beginning of World War II. The mortars and carriages were ordered scrapped on 15 Dec 1942.

Current Status
Now on the campus of Southern Maine Community College. These batteries are buried under new construction. No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:

Links: 
 * New York Times - Mortar Tests 24 Nov 1901