Battery Lytle

 (1904-1945) - Battery William Lytle was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Stark, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Brigadier General William H. Lytle, U.S. Volunteers, who died 20 Sep 1863, of wounds received in action at Chickamauga, Georgia, 19 Sep 1863, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 3 Apr 1905 at a cost of $ 26,955.20 (this cost includes cost of Battery Hays). Deactivated in 1945.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Pedestal mounts. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines 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 the emplacement power plant in Battery Hunter (2).



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 Lytle was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan throughout World War II. When the war ended in 1945 the battery was declared surplus. The guns and carriages were processed for salvage on 18 Oct 1945.

Current Status
Part of Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:

Links: