Fort Williams: Difference between revisions

In 1894 construction began on the first Endicott battery, Battery DeHart in 1893. In 1903 as the fort was growing, an additional 76 acres of land was acquired for the fort in 1903. No permanent post buildings were built until 1898 in the first building phase (1898-1904). From 1909 to 1911 more post buildings were added with the inclusion of a large 208 man double barracks building. By the end of the last building phase there were Three Barracks, Nine married officers quarters and Six non commissioned officers quarters. Other essential post buildings were also built like a Post Exchange (Named the Canteen), Headquarters Building and a Hospital among others. The Fort was formally named Fort Williams in 1899 and in 1899 the 1858 Goddard Mansion was bought for Fort Williams as an Officers Club and married enlisted men barracks.  A Mine Casement built in 1891 and modified in 1903 was built in the cliff at ships cove. This Mining complex included a tramway and Two Mine Observation Stations. One was located next to Battery Blair and was built in 1903. Another was built as a secondary station on top of Battery Keyes. The large caliber gun batteries were manned with companies of 80-100 men. Completed batteries were test fired in 1898. The fort had many luxuries that could be found at forts such as a chapel, a movie theater, a baseball field and recreation center with a swimming pool. In 1907 a large power station and transformer building would be built behind the barracks and fire station. A collection of Fire Control Stations was also located behind Battery Garesche in the woods.

Construction began in 1894 on this 10-inch disappearing rifle battery. The battery was completed in 1896 with three guns and activated in 1898. It was named in 1903. In 1907 three Taylor-Raymond Shell Hoists were added in 1907 and Powder Hoists were added in 1912. The battery was fully electrified and featured an electric motor that would take the gun down from firing position. In 1918, the guns were dismounted for use in WWI but replaced with new guns in 1919. The battery was deactivated in 1929. The guns were scrapped in 1942. 155mm guns on panama mounts were located in front of the battery until 1943.

Construction began in 1904 and was the last battery to be completed at Fort Williams in 1906. It was named before construction even started in 1903. This battery had two 6-inch disappearing rifles. No shell or powder hoists were required because the battery was one story. Electrical power was furnished from the power station inside Battery Blair that powered many of the gun batteries at the fort. In 1917 the guns were removed for use in WWI. One gun actually made it to France to be used as a railway gun. The guns were never returned and the carriages were scrapped in 1920 and the battery was deactivated in 1929.

This 3-inch battery was built in 1903 and completed in 1905. It was built to protect the minefield with its two rapid fire pedestal mounted guns. The battery was named in 1904 and was fully electric. Power was supplied by the 1907 central power station. On top of the battery is the secondary minefield observation station which was used in conjunction with the Mine Casement nearby to locate mine to be detonated. It is the only example of plaster and stucco construction n good condition. n 1920 a CRF Staon was added next to the battery. t was the only battery at Fort Wlliams to remain active through WWII. During WWII it was used in conjunction with the HECP to fire upon unfriendly ships that may not be welcome into the harbor. The guns were removed after the war ended in 1945.

The guns of the 10-inch and 6-inch batteries were to be sent to France during WWI. Of all the guns to be sent only on actually made it to France and it was from Battery Garesche. In the 1920s concrete observation station were added at Kitty Point near officers row. A disappearing searchlight was added behind Battery Garesche. In 1920 a protected switchboard bunker was built next to the 1907 central power station.