Battery Bradford

 (1901-1944) - Battery Bradford was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Terry, Plum Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after Capt. James Bradford, U.S. Artillery, who was killed on 4 Nov 1791, in action with hostile Indians at Fort Recovery, Ohio. Battery construction started 1 Jul 1898, was completed in October 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 4 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ $ 50,000.00. Deactivated in 1944.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists provided. The hoists were removed in 1915. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Stoneman.

In 1914 a BC station and plotting room was added to the traverse of Battery Bradford. The BC station was on top of the traverse and the plotting room was built into an existing room below. The modification was accepted for service on 20 Mar 1914 at a cost of $ 1,395.26.



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

World War II
All guns and carriages reported as being salvaged on 20 Jun 1944.

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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