Battery Ritchie

 (1900-1917) - Battery Ritchie was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort DuPont (1), Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Capt. John Ritchie, U.S. Artillery Corps, who was killed 25 Jun 1814, at the Battle of Lundys Lane, Canada, during the War of 1812. Battery construction started on 1 Apr 1900, was completed on 31 Jul 1900 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 19 Dec 1900 at a cost of $ 16,702.71. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period
Built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1900 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette carriages.

World War I
On 7 Feb 1917 the Secretary of War authorized the transfer of the two 5" guns and two Barbette carriages, M1903, from Battery Ritchie to Fishermans Island, Virginia, for installation in an emergency battery. On 18 Jul 1918 Fort DuPont (1) reported the two 5" guns and carriages transferred from Battery Ritchie to Fisherman's Island.

Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.

Recent Blog Posts:
 * Fort Mott, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont on the Delaware River

Sources:

Links: