Battery Alexander (2)

Battery Alexander (2) (1898-1943) - Battery Alexander (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after MG William Alexander, (Earl of Stirling), Continental Army, who received the thanks of Congress for his services during the Revolutionary War, and who died 15 Jan 1783. The two gun emplacements of his battery were part of the nine gun emplacements of the main gun line built at Fort Hancock (2) and originally called Battery Halleck. The main gun line was later divided into four named batteries by G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 (Battery Halleck, Battery Alexander (2), Battery Bloomfield and Battery Richardson). Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 15 Jul 1899 at a cost of $ 94,227.88. Deactivated in 1943. Fort Hancock Battery Alexander Gun Emplacement #2 Fort Hancock Battery Alexander BC and Hoist Fort Hancock Battery AlexanderGun Emplacement #1 and Power Building Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 12" M1888 and one 12" M1888MII gun both mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. Battery Alexander (2) Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 12" Rifle 440" M1888MII 4 Bethlehem Diappearing, M1896, #25, Morgan 1898-1943 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 440" M1888 7 Watervliet Disappearing, M1896, #8, Bethlehem 1898-1943 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1921, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 138-139, 207. Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Alexander (2) Plan World War I The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns and carriages of Battery Alexander were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament plan. World War II Battery Alexander was declared obsolete and deactivated in early 1943. Current Status Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place. Battery viewable but not open to the public. Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4711001 Long: -74.0046251 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=35.499', Gun #2=35.531' Sources: Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: 14 Aug 2010