Battery Bingham

Battery Bingham (1899-1919) - Battery Bingham was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 4.72 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Moultrie, South Carolina. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after 2nd Lt. Horatio S. Bingham, 2nd U.S. Cavalry, who was killed 6 Dec 1866, in action with Sioux Indians near Fort Phil Kearney, Dakota Territory. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 3 Nov 1899 at a cost of $ 6,000.00. Deactivated in 1919.

Battery Bingham History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Charleston.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 4.72" British Armstrong guns mounted on Armstrong carriages. This is a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and a single common magazine located below. No shell hoists were provided. Electrical power for lighting was provided from Battery Jasper.

Battery Bingham Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	4.72" Rifle	45 Cal	Armstrong		11008	Armstrong	Pedestal, Armstrong, #11008, Armstrong	1899-1919	See note 1
2	4.72" Rifle	45 Cal	Armstrong		11687	Armstrong	Pedestal, Armstrong, #11007, Armstrong	1899-1919	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Oct 1925, RCB, 31 Dec 1909, 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 86-87, 210 Note 1: Listed as scrapped 12 Aug 1920 but later donated. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Bingham Plan

World War I

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. The guns of Battery Bingham were not removed during the World War I redistribution program but were caught in the 1920 disarmament program. They were approved for scrapping 22 Jul 1919 and eventually were donated to civic organizations in Paducah, Kentucky and Burlington, North Carolina.

Current Status

Battery is in good condition. One period gun and mount in place.

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Location: Fort Moultrie, South Carolina Maps & Images Lat: 32.7590974 Long: -79.8573232 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 26.40', Gun #2=26.36'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

Visited: 23 Jan 2010

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