Battery Plunkett

Self Guided Tour, Fort Warren, George's Island

Battery Plunkett

Hull, Massachusetts 02045, United States

Created By: DCR Massachusettes

Information

Battery Plunkett is named after Sergeant Thomas Plunkett of the 21st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, who lost both arms advancing the Regimental Colors at Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862. The battery mounted two 4-inch rapid fire guns that fired a 33lb projectile to a range of 5miles (approximately 8 kilometers). This was one of only two such gun batteries in the United States. They were designed to be used against lightly armored, fast moving boats. They were called rapid fire because they could be loaded by hand and fired quickly, at a rate of 6-7 rounds per minute. They were operational during the Spanish-American War. In 1919 the brass fittings on the cannons were sold to a junk dealer. The cannon themselves were scraped during World War 2. Today, only the two concrete pedestals from the battery remain in place. It appears that the guns were dismounted and moved to the front of the fort, at the top of the stairs by the hospital wing, prior to being scrapped.

This point of interest is part of the tour: Self Guided Tour, Fort Warren, George's Island


 

Leave a Comment

 


 

Download the App

Download the PocketSights Tour Guide mobile app to take this self-guided tour on your GPS-enabled mobile device.

iOS Tour Guide Android Tour Guide

 


 

Updates and Corrections

Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.