Battery Anderson-Ruggles (11)
Anderson N 37°01.115 W076°17.932 - Ruggles N 37°01.173 W076°17.860 (USCGS)
This large concrete battery is considered to be two batteries, named after Robert Andersonand George D. Ruggles. It was built between 1896 and 1898, and consisted of sixteen M1890-M1
mortars - four in each pit, on M1896-M1 mortar carriages. Each half of the battery has an open BC
Station and a Plotting Room on the traverse between pits A and B. They were similar in design,
but still slightly different. The station on Ruggles has been demolished. In 1919, the two rear
mortars in each pit were removed. The carriages remained until 1928, when these gun wells were filled
and covered with concrete. Only three guns from Ruggles were kept in place after 1941, and these were
removed in 1944. During World War II Ruggles was designated Battery 11. Behind each pit is a control
booth and these are still present. On the right side is a building, that contained the Power Room and
Switchboard Room. On top and in the middle of the battery is a small concrete tower. It was called an
Emergency Station. However, its function is not known. The observation post on Battery Church is
similar in design. It seems that much of the top of the earth embankment has eroded from the top of the
battery due to a hurricane in 1933. The Anderson BC Station is more exposed than it should be and so is
the Emergency Station, which only the very top portion was once above the surface.
{see "American Seacoast Defenses" 2nd Ed. page 140}
The Power and Switchboard Building next to Battery Anderson.
 Anderson Pit #1 booth. |
 Mortar pit #1. |
 Anderson Pit #2 booth. |
 Mortar pit #2. |
 Ruggles Pit #3 booth. |
 Mortar pit #3. |
 Ruggles Pit #4 booth. |
 Mortar pit #4. |
 Battery Ruggles BC station rubble. |
 Inside Ruggles. |
 Corridor connecting Ruggles w/ Anderson. |
 Emergency Station on top of Ruggles. N 37°01.150 W076°17.871 (USCGS "Ruggles 2") |
NOTE: I was unable to get a good photo of the Battery Commander's Station for Battery Anderson. It is in relatively good condition, but the area is overgrown.
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