Battery Crawford

Battery Crawford (1901-1917) - Battery Crawford was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 5 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Mansfield, Washington County, Rhode Island. The battery was named in G.O. 30, 19 Mar 1902, after Capt. Emmet Crawford, 3rd U.S. Cavalry, who died on 18 Jan 1886, of wounds received while in pursuit of hostile Indians near Nacori, Mexico, on 11 Jan 1886. Battery construction started 1898, was completed 1900 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 18 Feb 1901 at a cost of $ 11,600.00. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Long Island Sound.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 5" M1897 guns mounted on M1896 Balanced pillar carriages. This was two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Electrical power was furnished from emplacement power plant in Battery Wooster.

Battery Crawford Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	5" Rifle	225"	M1897		3	Watervliet	Balanced pillar, M1896, #8, Watertown	1901-1917	See note 1
2	5" Rifle	225"	M1897		7	Watervliet	Balanced pillar, M1896, #7, Watertown	1901-1917	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 15 Nov 1921, 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 88-89, 205 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Crawford 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 two 5" guns at Battery Crawford were ordered dismounted for service abroad on 24 Aug 1917. The guns were transferred to Morgan on 31 Dec 1917 and eventually made it to France. Battery Crawford was not rearmed.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Napatree Point, Washington County, Rhode Island Maps & Images Lat: 41.306919 Long: -71.885646 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 32.20'

Sources:

Links:

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

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