Battery Rivardi

 (1906-1917) - Battery John Rivardi was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period, 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Preble, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Major John J.U. Rivardi, 1st U.S. Artillerists and Engineers, who served from 1795 to 1802, and who died 4 Jan 1808. Battery was transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 May 1906 at a cost of $ 44,136.70. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Disappearing carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on a raised platform on the same level as the magazines. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by commercial power.



World War I (1917-1917)
The guns of were ordered dismounted for use abroad on 24 Aug 1917. Both guns were transferred to Watervliet 27 Nov 1917 for modification to mobile carriages. Both guns made it to France before the war ended and they were returned to the U.S. in 1919 but not to Battery Rivardi. Battery Rivardi was not rearmed. Both of the gun tubes were reused during World War II in 200 series batteries.

Both of Battery Rivardi's carriages were ordered scrapped 25 May 1920.

In 1920, an antiaircraft battery consisting of three, 3" antiaircraft guns was established around Battery Rivardi. Two guns were place on the parapet of Battery Rivardi and one gun was placed behind the battery. The three circular gun blocks can still be seen. The magazine of Battery Rivardi was used to store the ammunition for the antiaircraft guns.

Current Status
Now on the campus of Southern Maine Community College. No period guns or mounts in place but this battery remains accessible.

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