Battery Lincoln

 (1896-1942) - Battery Lincoln was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Banks (2), Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Major General Benjamin Lincoln, Continental Army, who twice received the thanks of Congress for his services during the Revolutionary War and who was the first Secretary of War of the Continental Government from 30 Oct 1781, to November 1783, and who died 9 May 1810. Battery construction started 1892, was completed 1896 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 2 Sep 1896 at a cost of $ 78,394.86 (half of total cost of Battery Lincoln & Battery Kellogg). Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1886 mortars mounted on M1891 mortar carriages. This was a single level mortar battery with the magazines on the same level as the mortar loading platforms. Shells and powder are wheeled from the magazines to the mortars on shot carts. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electricity was furnished by an emplacement power plant.

In October 1904 there was an incident involving mortar #63, which was accidentally fired with its breechblock not secured. The blast blew away part of the muzzle of #27, and killed four crewmen. Mortar #27 was replaced by Model 1886-1890MI #9, specially made for this battery.

This battery was originally constructed with Rosendale cement and was expanded and reconstructed using Portland cement in 1912-1913. Cost of the rebuild was $ 96,620.00. All of the mortars and carriages were transferred to Fort Caswell, Battery Bagley, on 6 Nov 1911. Fort Caswell, Battery Bagley, transferred a different set of mortars back to Battery Lincoln on 12 Jun 1912.

World War I
Battery Lincloln was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920s disarmament actions.

World War II
The six remaining 12" mortars of Battery Lincoln were obsolete at the beginning of the war and they were ordered scrapped 15 Dec 1942.

Current Status
Private property. Both mortar pits have been covered by sloping parking lots but the central structure appears intact, with entrances blocked. No period guns or mounts in place.

See Also;
 * Battery Kellogg
 * Harbor Defense of Boston

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