Battery Ayres

 (1901-1942) - Battery Ayers was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth (1), Richmond County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 16, 14 Feb 1902, after Colonel Romeyn B. Ayres, 2nd U.S. Artillery, (Major General U.S. Volunteers), who died 4 Dec 1888. Battery construction started 1899, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 30 Jul 1902 at a cost of $ 87,000.00. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1895 disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Two Hodges back delivery shell hoists moved the shells from the magazine level to the gun loading platform. The Hodges shell hoists were later replaced with two Taylor-Raymond electric shell hoists and the hoists were modified for the newer long point shells.



World War I
The two M1895 guns were ordered dismounted and shipped to Watervliet for use on railroad mounts in 1918. These two guns were replaced with two M1888 guns from Battery Towson at Fort Carroll (1) and mounted on the original carriages.

World War II
The salvage of the battery was authorized 12 Nov 1942 and the guns and carriages were removed.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

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