Fort Dearborn, Rye NH
In 1942, leading up to the US involvement in WW2, the US government siezed 22
private, oceanfront residences in Rye, NH and installed several gun
emplacements. The main battery at this location were two 16 inch guns and was
called Battery No. 103/Battery Seamen. This location was used for various
defensive uses until 1961 when it was handed over to the State of NH and turned
into a state park. Most of the buildings relating to the coastal defense were
demolished, but several still remain including Battery No. 103/Battery Seamen.
All photos were taken in publicly available areas.
Battery 103_firing: This picture, taken in 1944, shows the only time Gun #1 was
ever fired.
Diagram to Battery 103: Showing the interior of Battery 103, I could not
locate the Key for this map.
Pic01: Leading up to the back of Gun #1.
Pic02: Rear entrance to Gun #1.
Pic03: Front of Gun #1.
Pic04: Front of Gun #1.
Pic05: Under archway of Gun #1.
Pic06: Looking out from archway of Gun #1, towards ocean.
Pic07: Small Storage room next to Gun #1.
Pic08: Hallway connecting the two guns emplacements. The rails on the ceiling were for moving the 16 inch shells to the guns. This was shot through a steel lattice door. This door is very rusty and does have a hole large enough to get through, but the park is well traveled and I didn't have a flashlight. I would like to get a chance to see if the other rooms on the diagram are still accessible, but not this visit.
Pic09: The Battery Commanders Observation Station, located on top of, and in
between the gun emplacements.
Pic10: Rear entrance to Battery Commanders Observation Station.
Pic11: Interior of Battery Commanders Observation Station.
Pic12: Front of Gun #2.
Pic13: Under archway of Gun #2
Pic14: Small storage room next to Gun #2
Pic15: Hallway connecting the two guns emplacements. The steel door here is in better condition than the one at the other end of the hall and not accessible.
Pic16: Closeup of rear entrance to Gun #2. The name and date show serious
weathering.
Pic17: Another building close to the battery of unkown usage. A map of the park only refers to this as a "World War 2 structure"
Pic18: Interior of unknown structure.
I DON'T GIVE OUT LOCATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE FOR SALE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING.
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