Battery Kingman

Battery Kingman (1921-1946) - Battery Kingman was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named after BG Dan C. Kingman, Chief of Army Engineers, who died in November 1916. Battery construction started in March 1917, was completed on 2 Apr 1921 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 2 Apr 1921 at a cost of $ 297,933.04. Deactivated in 1946.

Fort Hancock Battery Kingman Rear Entrance	Fort Hancock Battery Kingman Overhead Shell Tracks
Fort Hancock Battery Kingman Gun Emplacement #1

World War I

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an World War I concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI guns mounted on M1917 carriages. This was an open plan battery with two circular concrete gun pads 420' apart separated by a concrete earth covered magazine complex. This battery and sister battery, Battery Mills, were located on the bay side of Sandy Hook at Horseshoe Cove and covered 360 degrees.

Battery Kingman Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	369.15"	M1895MI	A4	65	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917A2, #4, Watertown	1921-1946	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	369.15"	M1895MI	A4	53	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917A2, #5, Watertown	1921-1946	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 10 Dec 1924, 28 Nov 1944, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 154-155, 207 Note 1: Gun transferred from Watervliet 11 Jan 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun transferred from Watervliet 16 Jan 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Kingman Original Open Plan

World War II

In 1942-43 the gun emplacements were casemated and connected to the original magazine structure by concrete corridors. The casemates and magazine complex were covered with sand and soil. The casemate construction and the upgraded magazine project was completed in 1943 at a cost of $ 623,818.80.

Battery Kingman Casemate Plan

Current Status

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place. Public access to the casemates but not to the interior on the magazine complex.

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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4379326 Long: -73.9917719 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=14.376', Gun #2=14.367'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 14 Aug 2010

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