Battery Wheaton (Jamestown, RI)

Tucked within the rugged coastal cliffs of Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island, the abandoned Battery Wheaton stands as a powerful relic of the Endicott Period — an era when the United States fortified its coastlines with massive concrete gun emplacements to defend against naval attack. Once armed with towering 12-inch disappearing guns, Battery Wheaton remains one of the most visually striking remnants of Rhode Island’s military past.

The Endicott Period and the Rise of Fort Wetherill

The Civil War revealed just how quickly military technology could make traditional masonry forts obsolete. To modernize America’s defenses, the U.S. government established the Endicott Board in 1885, launching a nationwide effort to rebuild and strengthen key coastal fortifications. Between 1890 and 1910, dozens of new concrete gun batteries were constructed across the country — a period now known as the Endicott Era.

Fort Wetherill, established in 1900 on the southeastern tip of Jamestown, became a centerpiece of the Harbor Defenses of Narragansett Bay. Its high vantage point provided sweeping views of the East Passage and Newport Harbor, making it a prime defensive position. Among the many structures built here, Battery Wheaton was one of the fort’s most formidable installations.

Construction and Armament

Construction on Battery Wheaton began in March 1903 and was completed in July 1904. The Coast Artillery Corps officially accepted the battery and placed it into service on May 7, 1908.

• Equipped with two 12-inch M1900 guns mounted on M1901 Disappearing carriages
• Designed as a two-story structure, with the guns on the upper level and two large magazines below
• Featured Taylor-Raymond back-delivery electric shell hoists to lift 1,000-pound projectiles from the lower level to the gun platforms
• Included ammunition storage, plotting rooms, and links to Fort Wetherill’s power network
• Named for Major General Frank Wheaton, who served with distinction in the 2nd U.S. Infantry during the Civil War

Each gun could fire a 1,000-pound shell up to 10 miles, providing overlapping defensive coverage with the nearby 10-inch batteries Walbach and Cooke.

World War I and World War II

During World War I, the U.S. military removed large-caliber guns from many coastal forts to ship overseas. However, Battery Wheaton remained untouched by this redistribution. Its guns were never removed or modified during the war, and the battery remained intact through the postwar 1920 disarmament program.

By World War II, coastal artillery had become largely obsolete. Aircraft and long-range naval guns replaced static fortifications, and Battery Wheaton was gradually phased out of active service. It was officially marked for closure in 1945, and by February 18, 1946, its guns and carriages were dismantled and salvaged.

Battery Wheaton Today

Today, Battery Wheaton lies within Fort Wetherill State Park, which opened to the public in 1972. It is the second westernmost battery in the park, part of a network of seven major Endicott-era coastal gun batteries that once made Fort Wetherill one of the most heavily armed forts on the Atlantic coast.

Visitors can explore both the top of the structure and many of its internal corridors. While much of the concrete has been overtaken by graffiti and coastal vegetation, the size and layout of the battery are still clearly visible. The gun platforms, stairways, and vaulted magazines offer an eerie but captivating glimpse into early 20th-century military engineering.

⚠️ Safety tip: This is an unmaintained structure. Bring a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes, and use caution on slick or uneven ground.

Visiting Information

• 📍 Address: Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, Rhode Island
• 🌐 GPS Coordinates: 41.478389, -71.367333
• 🅿️ Parking: Multiple parking areas with hundreds of free spaces along Fort Wetherill Road; the first lot is closest to Battery Wheaton
• 💰 Fees: Free year-round
• 🕰 Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
• 🐾 Pets: Leashed dogs welcome

Quick Facts

• 🏗 Construction: March 1903 – July 1904
• ⚙️ Operational Date: May 7, 1908
• 💣 Armament: Two 12-inch M1900 guns on M1901 Disappearing carriages
• ⚡ Shell Hoists: Taylor-Raymond back-delivery electric hoists
• 🕰 Deactivated: 1946 (guns and carriages removed)
• 🎖 Named For: Major General Frank Wheaton
• 🏞 Current Status: Abandoned; part of Fort Wetherill State Park
• 🚶‍♂️ Access: Open to the public but unmaintained—explore carefully

Final Thoughts

Battery Wheaton stands as one of Fort Wetherill’s most iconic remnants—a towering, weathered monument to the ingenuity of early 20th-century coastal defense. Once among the most advanced gun emplacements in the Harbor Defenses of Narragansett Bay, it now sits silent, its echoing chambers and crumbling walls telling the story of a bygone era.

For history enthusiasts, explorers, and photographers alike, Battery Wheaton offers a rare opportunity to step into the past and imagine the power of the massive guns that once guarded Rhode Island’s shores.