Battery Zook (Jamestown, RI)

Exploring Battery Zook at Fort Wetherill: Jamestown’s 6-Inch Endicott-Era Coastal Gun Battery

Tucked into the rugged cliffs of Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island, the abandoned Battery Zook stands as a fascinating relic of the Endicott Period, when the United States transformed its coastal defenses with modern concrete fortifications and heavy artillery. Once armed with powerful 6-inch disappearing guns, this long-silent battery remains a striking reminder of Rhode Island’s strategic military past.

The Endicott Period and the Rise of Fort Wetherill

By the late 19th century, advances in naval warfare had rendered America’s old brick forts obsolete. To modernize national defense, the Endicott Board was established in 1885, launching a massive program to build reinforced concrete batteries along key coastlines between 1890 and 1910.

Fort Wetherill was one such stronghold. Officially established in 1900 atop the granite cliffs of Jamestown, the fort commanded the East Passage of Narragansett Bay—a critical waterway leading to Newport Harbor. Among the dozens of structures built here, Battery Zook became one of the fort’s central defensive positions.

Construction and Armament

Funds for Battery Zook were approved in 1903, and construction began that May. The project was completed in November 1904 at a cost of just over $81,000. The Coast Artillery Corps officially placed the battery into service on May 7, 1908.

• Equipped with three 6-inch M1903 guns on M1903 disappearing carriages
• Featured a single-story layout, unlike the larger two-tiered batteries at Fort Wetherill
• Contained two magazines adjacent to the gun platforms for shells and powder storage
• A central fire control station was positioned near the middle of the battery
• Accessed by concrete stairways leading to the elevated gun platforms

Each of the 6-inch guns could fire a 105-pound projectile over 7 miles, designed to engage fast-moving warships attempting to enter Narragansett Bay.

The battery was named for Brevet Major General Samuel K. Zook, a distinguished Union officer who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

Disarmament During World War I

When the United States entered World War I, many coastal batteries were stripped of their guns for potential use overseas. Orders to remove Battery Zook’s guns were issued on August 24, 1917.

• On November 27, 1917, the three 6-inch guns were shipped to the Watervliet Arsenal in New York
• The carriages were destroyed on May 26, 1920, as part of the national disarmament program
• Battery Zook was never rearmed and was formally abandoned shortly thereafter

Though short-lived, Battery Zook was part of a nationwide coastal defense transformation that reshaped America’s military infrastructure at the dawn of the 20th century.

Battery Zook Today

Today, Battery Zook sits at the heart of Fort Wetherill State Park, which opened to the public in 1972. It’s one of seven Endicott-era batteries preserved within the park, and often one of the first structures visitors encounter when entering the historic site.

The battery’s concrete walls remain largely intact, though they’ve been reclaimed by time, graffiti, and coastal vegetation. Visitors can freely explore both the top and interior of the structure, including its stairways, magazines, and wide gun platforms.

⚠️ Caution: Like all of Fort Wetherill’s abandoned batteries, Battery Zook is unmaintained. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and exercise care on uneven, dark, or slippery surfaces.

Visiting Information

• 📍 Address: Fort Wetherill Road, Jamestown, Rhode Island
• 🌐 GPS Coordinates: 41.478444, –71.366472
• 🅿️ Parking: Several large free parking lots along Fort Wetherill Road; the first lot is closest to Battery Zook
• 💰 Fees: Free year-round
• 🕰 Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
• 🐾 Pets: Leashed dogs welcome throughout the park

Quick Facts

• 🏗 Construction: May 1903 – November 1904
• ⚙️ Operational Date: May 7, 1908
• 💣 Armament: Three 6-inch M1903 guns on M1903 Disappearing carriages
• 💰 Cost: $81,000
• 📡 Fire Control Station: Central tower for range coordination
• 🕰 Deactivated: 1917–1920 (guns removed and carriages scrapped)
• 🎖 Named For: Bvt. Major General Samuel K. Zook
• 🏞 Current Status: Abandoned; part of Fort Wetherill State Park
• 🚶‍♂️ Access: Fully open; explore with caution

Final Thoughts

Battery Zook may no longer echo with the sounds of artillery, but its concrete walls still carry the weight of history. Once a vital part of the coastal defenses guarding Narragansett Bay, the battery now stands silent—its gun emplacements overlooking the same waters they once protected.

For history enthusiasts, photographers, and coastal explorers, Battery Zook offers a rare chance to walk among the fortifications that helped define Rhode Island’s maritime legacy. It’s a striking blend of history, decay, and coastal beauty—making it a must-see stop within Fort Wetherill State Park.