Battery Arnold

 (1899-1943) - Battery Arnold was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mott, New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, after Ltc. Lewis G. Arnold, 2nd U.S. Artillery, BG U.S. Volunteers, who served with distinction in the Florida Indian Wars and the U.S. Civil War, and who died 22 Sep 1871 at South Boston, Massachusetts. Battery construction started on 5 Mar 1896, was completed on 16 Jun 1898 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 6 Jan 1899 at a cost of $ 268,351.93 (cost for both Battery Harker and Battery Arnold). Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888 guns and one 12" M1888MII gun all mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. The three gun emplacements of this battery were built together with the three 10" gun emplacements of Battery Harker as one large battery.

Battery Arnold was a two-story battery with the guns on the upper level and a magazine for each gun on the lower level. Three Taylor-Raymond back delivery projectile hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. The shell hoists were transferred for use on 27 May 1907. No powder hoists installed. Electric power for the battery was furnished by an internal power plant.



World War I
The gun tubes of Battery Arnold were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program.

World War II
The abandonment of Battery Arnold was authorized 31 Aug 1943 and the guns and carriages of Battery Arnold were ordered salvaged 9 Dec 1943.

Current Status
Part of Fort Mott State Park. No period guns or mounts in place.

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