Battery Thomas

 (1898-1917) - Battery Thomas was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4.72 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Morgan (1), Baldwin County, Alabama. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 15 May 1903 after Capt. Evan Thomas, 4th U.S. Artillery, who served with distinction in the U.S. Civil War and who was killed 26 Apr 1873 in action with Modoc Indians at the Lava Beds, California. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 17 Feb 1899 at a cost of $ 15,000. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4.72" rapid fire Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong Pedestal carriages. No shell or powder hoists and no power plant, power for lighting derived from Battery Duportail.



World War I (1917-1918)
The two 4.72" guns and carriages at Battery Thomas were ordered dismounted and prepared for shipment overseas. A status message indicates that all guns carriages and base rings had been removed from Battery Thomas and shipped for service elsewhere. The gun cards indicate they transferred to the Army Transport Service (ATS) in San Francisco on 25 Sep 1917 and they also indicate that they were transferred back to Fort Morgan (1) 3 May 1919 with direction to remount them. On 22 Jul the A.G.O approved the scrapping of the guns and carriages.

Current Status
Part of Fort Morgan State Park, Baldwin County, Alabama. No period guns or mounts in place.

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