Battery Crittenden

 (1908-1946) - Battery Crittenden was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wetherill, Newport County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 2nd Lieutenant John J. Crittenden, 20th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 25 Jun 1876, in action with the Sioux indians at Little Big Horn River, Montana. Battery construction started in June 1901, was completed in July 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 May 1908 at a cost of $ 15,500.00. Deactivated in 1946.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902 guns mounted on M1902 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by an emplacement power plant in Battery Wheaton.

Battery Wheaton, Battery Walbach, Battery Dickenson, Battery Zook, and Battery Crittenden were all accepted for service on the same day, 7 May 1908.



World War I
The guns and carriages of Battery Crittenden were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

On 26 Feb 1925 both M1902 guns and both M1902 carriages were dismounted and put into storage. In April 1925 two M1903 guns and two M1903 carriages from Battery Belton, Fort Adams (1), were mounted in Battery Crittenden.

World War II
Battery Crittenden was active throughout World War II until its guns and carriages were declared obsolete on 18 Nov 1945 and processed for disposal on 14 Mar 1946.

Current Status
Part of Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown, Conanicut Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. No period guns or mounts in place.

See Also:
 * Fort Wetherill
 * Endicott Period
 * Harbor Defense of Narragansett Bay

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