Isn’t it intriguing how forgotten military structures whisper tales of bygone eras? Here at Battery Turnbull you stand on a silent sentinel. It once stood guard over New York’s harbor.
Battery Turnbull is part of Fort Wadsworth’s historical tapestry. It is located south of Battery Weed. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge casts its long shadow over these grounds. Battery Turnbull is one of several batteries. Battery Bacon and Battery Barbour are nearby. They replaced the Civil War-era South Cliff Battery. This earlier battery boasted nine 15-inch Rodman guns.
The late 1890s brought change. The Endicott System of Coastal Defenses was developed. This became the fourth upgrade to U.S. coastal defenses. Battery Turnbull was a product of this system. Construction spanned from 1902 to 1904. It remained active until 1945. Imagine soldiers here ready to defend.
Battery Turnbull originally housed six M1902 3-inch guns. In 1913, a switch occurred. The guns were exchanged with M1903 guns at Battery Catlin. Picture three identical sections forming Battery Turnbull. Each section played its vital role.
Battery Bacon sits closest to Battery Weed. It was built between 1889 and 1903. Two M1898 3-inch rapid-fire guns armed it. These guns were designed to target swift enemy destroyers. They could also target minesweepers. Battery Bacon was deactivated in 1918.
Battery Barbour is located on the other side of the bridge. It is the oldest of the South Cliff batteries. It was built in 1898. Battery Barbour remained active until 1920. Two M1898 4.72-inch guns were installed here. Additionally, two Armstrong 6-inch guns added to its defense.
Today no guns remain at any of these batteries. Nature reclaims what was once hers. A trail leads to Battery Barbour. It is often overgrown. All three batteries share near-identical designs. You get a great view of Battery Bacon and Battery Turnbull without venturing into the thick brush.
These batteries tell silent stories. They evoke a time of coastal defense. The Endicott System aimed to protect New York. Though weapons are gone, the legacy of Battery Turnbull remains. It reminds us of a time when America prepared for war. Now it stands as a historical point. It invites reflection on the past.