Battery Weymouth

 (1901-1942) - Battery Weymouth was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after Captain George Weymouth, who made extensive explorations in this region, 1603. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Jan 1901 at a cost of $ 156,247.40. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 8" M1888MII guns mounted on M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by three Taylor-Raymond front delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.



World War I (1917-1918)
The guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Weymouth was obsolete at the beginning of the war but remained a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan until declared no longer required and ordered salvaged on 6 Nov 1942. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 7 Jun 1943 and the carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Dec 1942.

Current Status
Mostly private property on Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:
 * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort McKinley Military Reservation D01ME042402, December 1994, Portland, ME. Large pdf download

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