Battery Mason

 (1906-1942) - Battery Philip Mason was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Preble, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after 1st Lt. Philip D. Mason, 1st U.S. Artillery, who died 18 Jul 1864, of wounds received in action at Trevillian Station, Virginia, 11 Jun 1864. Battery transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 May 1906 at a cost of $ 8,042.67. Gun transferred to new location in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 3" M1902MI gun mounted on a M1902 Pedestal carriage. This was a two story battery with the gun located on the upper level and the magazine below. 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 (1917-1918)
The guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Mason was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

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