Battery Mills

Battery Mills (1921-1946) - Battery Mills was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named after Albert L. Mills, a Spanish-American War Medal of Honor recipient. Battery construction started in March 1917, was completed 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 Mills Gun Emplacement	Fort Hancock Battery Mills Overhead Shell Tracks
Fort Hancock Battery Mills Gun Emplacement

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI guns mounted on M1917 Barbette 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 Kingman, were located on the bay side of Sandy Hook at Horseshoe Cove and covered 360 degrees.

Battery Mills Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	369.15"	M1895MI	A4	69	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #9, Watertown	1921-1946	See note 1
2	12" Rifle	369.15"	M1895MI	A4	46	Watervliet	Barbette, M1917, #8, 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 22 Dec 1917, carriages transferred from Watertown 27 Apr 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Gun transferred from Watervliet 21 Dec 1917, carriages transferred from Watertown 27 Apr 1918. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Mills 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 Mills 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: 40.4347642 Long: -73.9918792 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=14.352', Gun #2=14.351'

Sources:

Links:

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

Visited: 14 Aug 2010

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