Battery Catlin at Fort Wadsworth, part of the Staten Island unit of Gateway National Recreation Area
Battery Catlin, part of Fort Wadsworth in Gateway National Recreation Area, was built between 1902 and 1904 over the top of a battery constructed during the Civil War. Called the North Cliff Battery, it required 23 15-inch Rodman guns, the largest cannon of the day, to defend the Narrows. By comparison, Battery Catlin was armed with only 6 M1903 3-inch rapid fire guns in order to do the same work.
Though Battery Catlin was operational in 1904, the guns were never installed until 1913, and even then they were only fired during practice. When World War II began, four of the guns were moved to Fort Hamilton across the harbor and two went to Fort Tilden, which is now part of the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Battery Catlin was closed in 1942.
When walking along Battery Weed Road, Battery Catlin lies down a steep hill that appears to be too much trouble to scurry down. However, if you continue along the road towards Mont Sec Avenue, you will eventually find a grass path that gradually leads down to it.
View of Battery Catlin from Battery Weed Road, Gateway National Recreation Area
Battery Catlin, part of Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, Gateway National Recreation Area
There are no tours of the battery, but you can walk around the outside and on top of the structure on your own. I’d advise doing so only if you have on long pants due to potential poison ivy, briers, and ticks. Much of the battery is covered in weeds.
Stairs to one of Battery Catlin’s gun emplacements, Gateway National Recreation Area
One of Battery Catlin’s gun emplacements, Gateway National Recreation Area
Battery Catlin consisted of three separate but identical units with two guns each. The interior was used to store ammunition.
Tunnel between sections of Fort Wadsworth’s Battery Catlin, Gateway National Recreation Area
Some of the steel doors have been torn open by curious tourists, but all you will find inside are empty rooms.
Steel door of Fort Wadsworth’s Battery Catlin has been torn open, Gateway National Recreation Area
Inside Battery Catlin on Staten Island, Gateway National Recreation Area
When you return to Battery Weed Road and continue towards Mont Sec Avenue you will come to what looks like a pill box typically armed with machine guns. However, this was actually used as a station for a Coincidence Rangefinder, a type of scope that allowed soldiers to determine the distance to a target.
Coincidence Rangefinder station, part of Battery Catlin in the Staten Island unit of Gateway National Recreation Area
If you enjoy military history, Battery Catlin is one of many military sites that can be seen on the Fort Wadsworth Walking Tour at Gateway National Recreation Area.
Next Stop: Mont Sec Avenue | Previous Stop: Torpedo Shed and Wharf
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Last updated on December 1, 2024
