Battery Halleck

Battery Halleck (1900-1942) - Battery Halleck was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock, New Jersey. The battery was named in Battery construction started in 1896, was completed 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 6 Jan 1900 at a cost of $ 73,843.08. Deactivated in 1942.

Fort Hancock, Battery Halleck Gun Emplacement #1	Fort Hancock, Battery Halleck Gun Emplacement #2
Fort Hancock, Battery Halleck View

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 10" M1888 guns mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a separate magazine for each emplacement on the lower level. Shell and powder hoists moved the ammunition from the lower level to the gun loading platform. The original hoists were accepted 6 Jul 1905 and were upgraded and re-accepted 17 Aug 1911. Battery Halleck ended up with three Taylor-Raymond back delivery hoists and three Type A powder hoists. Electric power was furnished by the fort power plant or Battery Bloomfield or Battery Alexander.

A concrete BC station was added to the rear of the center traverse and was accepted for service 20 Sep 1907 at a cost of $6,000.

Battery Halleck Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	367.25"	M1888MII		57	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #43, Niles	1900-1918	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	340"	M1888		2	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #8, Niles	1900-1942	See note 2
3	10" Rifle	340"	M1888MI		35	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #18, Southwark	1900-1942	See note 2
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 124-125, 207 Note 1: Gun transferred to Watervliet 25 Jun 1918, carriage scrapped 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages directed to be salvaged 4 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Halleck 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. Gun #1 was transferred to Watervliet 25 Jun 1918 for service abroad as a railway gun but the war ended before the gun actually made it to France. Gun #1 was not replaced and the carriage was scrapped in 1920 as a part of the disarmament program. Guns #2 and #3 were listed for service abroad but were retained.

World War II

The two remaining guns and carriages in Battery Halleck were declared obsolete and were directed to be salvaged on 12 Nov 1942. This action coincided with the first large scale, quota driven, scrap drive of World War II and a total of seven batteries on Fort Hancock (2) were caught up in this first drive.

Current Status

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4704859 Long: -74.0036568 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 35.48'

Sources:

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Visited: 14 Aug 2010

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