Battery Benjamin

 (1908-1947) - Battery Benjamin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Michie, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 19 Mar 1902, after 1st Lt. Calvin Benjamin, 4th U.S. Artillery, who was killed in the assault on Mexico City, 13 Sep 1847, during the Mexican-American War. Battery construction started in September 1902, was completed 26 Mar 1908 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 25 Nov 1908 at a cost of $ 54,742.00. Deactivated in 1947.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two back delivery Taylor-Raymond electric shell hoists. No powder hoists provided. Electrical power provided by emplacement power plants in Battery Benjamin and Battery Palmer.

Both shell hoists were reported removed on 17 Aug 1915 under an order issued 7 Jan 1915. A concrete 15' CRF station was built on the right flank of Battery Benjamin and accepted for service on 20 Mar 1914.



World War I
The guns of Battery Benjamin were not involved in the World War I redistribution or in the following 1920 disarmament program.

The CRF station was remodeled in 1923 and accepted for service on 23 Jul 1923.

World War II
In 1942 two shell hoists were transferred from Battery House to Battery Benjamin to replace the two that had been removed in 1915.

The guns and carriages of Battery Benjamin were recommended for salvage on 26 Jan 1946 and the battery was declared excess on 30 Apr 1947.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

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