Battery Eldridge

 (1906-1943) - Battery Bogardus Eldridge was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Terry, Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Bogardus Eldridge, U.S. Infantry, who was killed in action at Bocoor, Philippine Islands, 2 Oct 1899. Battery construction started in October 1903, was completed in October 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Nov 1906 at a cost of $ 15,924.00. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Pedestal mounts carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and two magazines on the lower level. 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 the Quartermaster power plant.



World War I
The guns of Battery Eldridge were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

Battery Eldridge was severely damaged in the Great New England Hurricane on 21 Sep 1938. As a result it was approved for abandonment on 12 May 1939 with the guns to be kept in storage.

World War II
Battery Eldgridge was removed from the Harbor Defense plan 17 May 1943. The guns and carriages were declared obsolete on 18 Oct 1945 and reported as processed for salvaging 15 Mar 1946.

Current Status
Now on Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) operated by U.S. DHS. No period guns or mounts in place.

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