Battery Elder

 (1904-1942) - Battery Samuel Elder was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort DuPont (1), Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Ltc. Samuel S. Elder, U.S. Army (Maj, 2nd U.S. Artillery), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 6 Apr 1885. Battery construction started 23 Mar 1903, was completed March 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 4 Mar 1904 at a cost of $ 18,383.36. Guns and carriages removed in 1942.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two magazines located in the lower level. Ammunition was hand carried from the magazine level to the gun loading level. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power for lighting was provided from Battery Best.

The carriages were not transferred from Watertown to Battery Elder until 6 May 1909 and the gun tubes were not mounted until March 1910.



World War I
Battery Elder was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II
Guns and carriages moved to Battery Liston, Liston Front Range Reservation, Bayview, Delaware, 11 may 1942 as temporary protection against Motor Torpedo Boats for the Reedy Island Navy Boom.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

Recent Blog Posts:
 * Fort Mott, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont on the Delaware River

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