Battery Gunnison

Battery Gunnison (1905-1946) - Battery John Gunnison was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock, New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904 after Capt. John W. Gunnison, U.S. Topographical Engineers, who was killed by Mormons and Indians near Sevier Lake, 26 Oct 1853. Battery construction started in 1903, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 5 Dec 1905 at a cost of $ 45,000. Deactivated in 1946.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages.

Battery Gunnison Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	309.5"	M1903		5	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #52, Detrick & Harvey	1905-1943	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	309.5"	M1903		34	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1903, #57, Detrick & Harvey	1905-1943	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Mar 1922, 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 98-99, 207 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 10 May 1943, carriages salvaged 19 Apr 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Gunnison 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.

World War II

Battery New Peck Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		27	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #12, Rock Island	1943-1946	See note 1, 2
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		28	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #17, Watervliet	1943-1946	See note 1, 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 10 Nov 1943, 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 96-97, 207 Note 1: Guns and carriages salvaged 21 Jun 1948. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun tubes #22 and #23 are currently in place and were mounted sometime after 1946. These tubes were mounted originally in Battery Livingston and had very low barrel wear when moved to Battery New Peck.

Current Status

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit on Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Two 6" M1900 guns on M1900 carriages in place. Gun #1 has an operating breech block and azimuth drive.

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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.459944 Long: -73.9950389 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 26'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 14 Aug 2010

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