Battery Catlin

Battery Catlin (1904-1942) - Battery Catlin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Wadsworth, New York. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Captain Robert Catlin (Cullum 2015), U.S. Army, who lost a leg in action at Weldon Railroad, 21 Aug 1864, during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 28 Dec 1903. Battery construction started 1902, was completed 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Jul 1904 at a cost of $ 37,509.00. Guns not mounted until 1913. Deactivated in 1942.

• 
  Fort Wadsworth, Battery Catlin Gun Emplacement #1
• 
  Fort Wadsworth, Battery Catlin Magazines

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Fort Wadsworth, Battery Catlin Tunnel Between Emplacements 2 and 3

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with six 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 pedestal carriages. This battery was built in three sections of two gun emplacements each. Each section was separated from the next by a short tunnel. Between the two gun emplacements in each section was a pair of magazines on the lower level. No shell or powder hoists were provided.

The original six M1903 guns and carriages of Battery Catlin were swapped out with the six M1902 guns and carriages of Battery Turnbull in 1913.

Battery Catlin Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		30	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #30, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
2	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		31	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #31, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
3	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		32	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #32, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
4	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		33	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #33, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
5	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		34	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #34, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
6	3" Rifle	150"	M1902MI		35	Bethlehem	Pedestal, M1902, #35, Bethlehem	1913-1942	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1920, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73, 207 Note 1: Guns not mounted until 1913, four gun tubes and carriages transferred to Fort Hamilton 29 Nov 1942 and two gun tubes transferred to Fort Tilden 23 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Catlin Plan

Battery Catlin Plan

World War I

Fort Wadsworth, Battery Catlin C.R.F Station

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. Battery Catlin was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program.

A concrete C.R.F. station was built on the hill behind the first two gun emplacements of Battery Catlin and accepted for service on 31 Dec 1918 at a cost of $ 770.00.

World War II

Four gun tubes and carriages transferred to Fort Hamilton 29 Nov 1942 for Battery AMTB 18 - Norton Point. Two gun tubes and carriages transferred to Fort Tilden 23 Nov 1942 for Battery AMTB 20 - Rockaway Point.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

Context

Location: Fort Wadsworth, Richmond County, New York
Lat: 40.607° Long: -74.056° Elevation: 16' Bing, Google, OldMapsOnline, USGS, OHM

Loading map...

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of New York, (HDNY-AN-44), 1 Sep 1944, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

Related:
Battery AMTB 18 - Norton Point, Battery AMTB 20 - Rockaway Point, Battery Turnbull, C.R.F., CDSG, CDSG Gun Card Collection, Coastal Battery Gun List, Endicott Period, Fort Hamilton, Fort Tilden, Fort Wadsworth, NARA, U.S. Civil War, World War I, World War II,