Battery Bagley

Battery Bagley (1903-1920) - Battery Bagley was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery on Fort Caswell, North Carolina. The battery was named in G.O. 138, 1899, after Ensign Worth Bagley, U.S. Navy, who was killed at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1893. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 Mar 1903 at a cost of $ 115,787.65. Deactivated in 1920.

Battery Bagley History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Cape Fear River.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal mortar battery with eight 12" M1890 mortars on M1896 mortar carriages.

**Battery Bagley Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	3	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896, #216, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	41	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #218, Rarig	1903-1911	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	39	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #217, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	37	Builders	Mortar, M1896, #219, Rarig	1903-1911	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	7	Niles	Mortar, M1896, #215, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	8	Niles	Mortar, M1896, #213, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
B3	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	37	Bethlehem	Mortar, M1896, #214, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	141.125"	M1890	9	Niles	Mortar, M1896, #212, Maryland	1903-1911	See note 1
Source: RCB, 10 Oct 1903, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-141, 210 Note 1:

Around 1911 the mortars and carriages were swapped with a set of eight 12" M1886M mortars mounted on M1891 carriages from Battery Lincoln at Fort Banks.

**Battery Bagley Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A1	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	73	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #20, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
A2	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	61	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #18, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
A3	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	63	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #17, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
A4	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	41	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #19, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
B1	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	26	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #27, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
B2	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	23	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #29, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
B3	12" Mortar	120"	M1886M	16	Builders	Mortar, M1891, #28, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
B4	12" Mortar	120"	M1886-1890MI	9	Watervliet	Mortar, M1891, #30, Builders	1911-1920	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Nov 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 134-135, 210 Note 1:

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 mortar tubes and carriages of Battery Bagley were not affected by the World War I redistribution but they were approved for scrapping on 30 Sep 1918 and ordered scrapped 26 May 1920 as a part of the disarmament program.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Caswell, North Carolina

Maps & Images

Lat: 33.890937 Long: -78.024312

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Elevation: 16.58'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Links:

Visited: 27 Jan 2010

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