Battery Henry Adair

 (1916-1919) - Battery Henry Adair was a reinforced concrete, World War I 6 inch coastal gun battery on Ford Island, Honolulu County, Hawaii. The battery was named Battery Henry Adair in G.O. 13, 16 Jan 1917, after 1st Lt. Henry R. Adair,, 10th U.S. Cavalry, who was killed in action at Carrizal, Mexico, on 21 Jun 1916. Battery construction started in August 1916, was completed in December 1917 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 17 Dec 1917 at a cost of $ 59,045. Designated for the land defenses of Oahu. Deactivated in 1919.

World War I (1917-1918)
Originally built as a World War I concrete casemated coastal gun battery with two 6" Armstrong M1898 guns mounted on M1898 Armstrong Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with the guns located on the same level as the magazines. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by cart and by hand. No shell or powder hoists were needed or provided.



The 6" guns of Battery Henry Adair remained in place until they were directed to be scrapped on 22 Jul 1919 along with most of the inventory of 6" Armstrong carriages and guns. Gun & Carriage cards indicate that the carriages were recorded as scrapped on 6 Sep 1921 and the guns were salvaged on the same date but later entries indicate that the guns were both retained on 23 Dec 1922 as "ornaments", location unspecified.

During the 7 Dec 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that opened World War II, the Battery was used to provide shelter for nearby military families, accomodating some 200 people. The Battleship Arizona was sunk just yards away from the Battery location.

Current Status
Battery Henry Adair was over built by the construction of Quarters "K" on Ford Island in 1936. Quarters "K" became the commander's quarters and was first occupied in 1937. The lower level of magazine rooms remained intact as did at least one gun emplacements. No period guns or mounts in place.

See Also:
 * Battery Boyd
 * Coastal Battery Gun List
 * Fort Kamehameha
 * Harbor Defense of Pearl Harbor

Sources:
 * Historic American Buildings Survey, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Battery Adair (U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Naval Station Ford Island) (U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Fallout Shelter) (Facility No. 446) HABS No. Hl-432, Pdf.
 * Battery Henry Adair RCW Form 1, 31 Mar 1919,
 * , pages 92-93, 218..

Links: 
 * Historic Hawaii Foundation - Nob Hill
 * Historic Hawaii Foundation - Nob Hill