Battery Butterfield

 (1901-1944) - Battery Butterfield was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island, Suffolk County, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after MG Daniel Butterfield, U.S. Volunteers (Col., U.S. Army), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 17 Jul 1901. Battery construction started in December 1898, was completed in the Fall of 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 7 Mar 1901 at a cost of $ 110,000.00. Deactivated in 1944.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform originally by two electric Hodges back delivery shell hoists. These hoists were replaced in 1916 by two Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists that were accepted for service on 15 Feb 1916. Electric power was furnished by the Battery Butterfield emplacement power plant.

The original set of 12" guns was swapped out in 1911-1912 for a new set.



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

In 1929 the 12" guns were again swapped out for a new set and another swap out took place in 1937.

World War II
The salvage of the armament and accessory equipment was directed on 22 Feb 1944. The guns and carriages were removed in October 1944.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

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