Battery Stricker (1899-1918) - Battery Stricker was a concrete Endicott Period 12" gun battery located on Fort Howard (1), Maryland. The Battery was named 11 Feb 1902 for Brig. Gen. John Stricker, 3rd Brigade, Maryland Militia at the battle for Baltimore in 1814. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 5 Jul 1899 at a total cost of $ 113,499.04. Deactivated in 1918.
Battery Stricker was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12" gun battery with one M1888MII gun and one M1888MI1/2 gun each mounted on an M1896 disappearing gun carriage. The carriages were originally sent to Fort Howard on 18 Feb 1899 and 3 Nov 1898 from the manufacturers. The Battery was deactivated in 1918 and the guns were removed on 9 Jul 1918 and shipped to Fort Hamilton (1). The Carriages were scrapped on 12 Mar 1923.
In 1920 Battery Stricker was modified to house a C.R.F. Station and plotting room for Battery Nicholson as well as a plotting room for Battery Key. All of this work was accepted for service on 19 Nov 1920. The 1922 plan for Battery Stricker shows these modifications.
Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1 1 May 1922, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 138, 208 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA, CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA. Gun positions confirmed by RCB.
Current Status
On Fort Howard County Park, Maryland. No period guns or carriages are in place.
