Battery Hall

Battery Hall (1920-1945) - Battery Hall was a reinforced concrete, World War I 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Saulsbury, Sussex County, Delaware. The battery was named after Col. David Hall, commander of the famous Delaware Line in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Battery construction started August 1917, was completed December 1920 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 27 Dec 1920 at a cost of $ 839,585.58. Deactivated in 1945.

World War I

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Originally built as an World War I concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI guns mounted on M1917 Barbette carriages. This was a single story battery with two open concrete gun emplacements on the same level as, and separated by, an earth covered concrete magazine.

Guns proof fired 15 & 16 May 1930.

Battery Hall Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895MI	A2	52	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #6, Watertown	1920-1945	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	442.56"	M1895MI	A2	57	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #7, Watertown	1920-1945	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 10 Nov 1921, 16 Jun 1936, 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, 208 Note 1: Gun from Watervliet 9 Jan 1918. Gun to Aberdeen 31 Jul 1946. Carriage from Watertown 28 Feb 1918, declared surplus 24 Apr 1946, processes for salvage 14 May 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun from Watervliet 7 Jan 1918. Gun to Aberdeen 17 Jul 1946. Carriage from Watertown 28 Feb 1918, declared surplus 24 Apr 1946, processes for salvage 14 May 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Hall Plan

World War II

The guns and carriages of Battery Hall were authorized to be moved to Battery 519, Fort Miles on 27 Jul 1942. That authorization was changed 8 Jan 1942 to substitute Battery Haslet for Battery Hall. Battery Hall was eliminated from the project on 8 Jan 1944.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Saulsbury, Sussex County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 38.9348521 Long: -75.330441 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=12.343', Gun #2=12.395'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG

Links:

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

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