Battery McKavett

 (1903-1920) - Battery McKavett was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Caswell, Brunswick County, North Carolina. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Capt. Henry McKavett, 8th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 21 Sep 1846 at the battle of Monterey, Mexico, during the Mexican-American War. Battery construction started in 1901, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 2 Oct 1903 at a cost of $ 14,489.25. Guns removed in 1920.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Provided protection for the river mine fields.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1898MI rapid fire guns mounted on M1898 Masking Parapet carriages. This was a two story battery with the two gun emplacements on the upper level and two separate magazines, one for each gun, on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electric power for lighting was provided from Battery Caswell. As this battery was being completed in 1903, two additional connected gun positions were started on the right flank of the battery. These two gun positions were completed in 1904 and became Battery McDonough (2).



World War I (1917-1918)
Battery McKavett was not affected by the World War I redistribution but it was caught up in the 1920s disarmament push. Both of the 3" Driggs-Seabury guns were transferred to Watervliet Arsenal 25 Jun 1920 and the carriages were ordered scrapped on 20 May 1920.

Current Status
On the property of the North Carolina Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell. No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:
 * Herring, Ethel and Williams, Carolee, Fort Caswell in War and Peace, 2nd Ed., NC Baptist Assembly, Oak Island, NC, 1983-1999, ISBN - 0-9671897-1-3, page 66-67

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