Battery 103

Battery 103 (1944-1948) - Battery 103 was a reinforced concrete, World War II 16 inch coastal gun battery located on Fort Dearborn (4), Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Renamed Battery Seaman. Battery construction started 8 Apr 1942, was completed 15 Aug 1943 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 8 Sep 1944 at a cost of $ 1,473,506.00. Deactivated in 1948.

World War II

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Originally built as an World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 16" MarkII-M1 guns mounted on M5 Casemated Barbette Carriages (CBC). This battery was a single level battery with the guns located on the same level as the central magazine. Each gun emplacement was casemated with heavy, reinforced concrete overhead protection and earth covering. The central magazine was built between and connected the gun emplacements so that the powder and shells could be brought directly to the guns using overhead tracks and chain hoists. See 16" Rifle MarkII-M1.

A completely separate Plotting and Fire Control Switchboard Room (PSR) is located nearby.

Battery 103 Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	16" Rifle	816"	MarkII-M1		99	Navy	Casemated Barbette (CBC), M5, #56, Watertown	1944-1948	See note 1
2	16" Rifle	816"	MarkII-M1		104	Navy	Casemated Barbette (CBC), M5, #57, Watertown	1944-1948	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Sep 1944, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 176-177 Note 1: Guns from Watervliet 16 Aug 1943, carriages from Watertown November 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

File:Fort Dearborn (4), Battery 103 Plan.jpg

Battery 103 Plan

Current Status

Part of Fort Dearborn State Historic Site, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Dearborn State Historic Site, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Maps & Images Lat: 43.0509955 Long: -70.7208878 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 25.86', Gun #2= 25.85'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG

Links:

• CDSG

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