Battery House (1)

 (1910-1942) - Battery House (1) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period coastal gun battery on Fort Getty, Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Brigadier General James House, U.S. Army (Colonel 1st U.S. Artillery), who served from 1799 to 1834, and who died 17 Nov 1834. Battery construction started in September 1901, was completed in February 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 Jun 1910 at a cost of $ 35,282.02. Moved to Fort Varnum in 1942.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from magazine level to the gun loading platform by electric back delivery Hodges shell hoists. Electric power was furnished from the power plant at Battery Tousard.



World War I
On 24 Aug 1917 the gun tubes of Battery House were ordered dismounted for use abroad but as the war drew to a close in 1918 they were ordered remounted. In 1922 a concrete C.R.F. station was built 150' north of the battery to house a 15' Barr & Stroud coincident rangefinder for Battery House. The C.R.F. station was accepted for service 8 Aug 1922.

In 1923 a plotting room was built into a room in emplacement #1 with a Whistler Hearn M1904 plotting board installed. The plotting room was accepted for service on 6 Jul 1923.

World War II
The guns and carriages of Battery House were transferred to Fort Varnum, Battery House (2), in July of 1942.

Current Status
Part of Fort Getty City Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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