Battery Dynamite (1)

Battery Dynamite (1) (1891-1902) - Battery Dynamite (1) was an experimental 15 inch and 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), Monmouth County, New Jersey. Deactivated in 1902.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

Originally built as an experimental concrete coastal gun battery with two 15" M1886 guns mounted on M1886 Pneumatic carriages and one 8" M1886 guns mounted on M1886 Pneumatic carriages. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant.

The guns were powered by compressed air that drove the explosive shells out of the gun tubes. The explosive used in the shells was dynamite. Dynamite shells could not be used in normal guns because the impact of the propellent firing would trigger the dynamite and the shells would explode while still in the gun tube. Compressed air drove the shells out of the gun tube at a lower velocity and with less impact. Because of the lower pressure and no explosive propellant the gun tubes were very thin and actually required a cantilevered support to keep the gun tube rigid.

Since the guns were experimental, the contractor provided the guns, carriages and the emplacements as well as the considerable amount of machinery necessary to produce the highly compressed air.

**Battery Dynamite (1) Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates
1	8" Rifle	?"	M1886	unk	Pneumatic Torpedo	Pneumatic, M1886, #unk, Pneumatic Torpedo	1891-1902
2	15" Rifle	40"	M1886	unk	Pneumatic Torpedo	Pneumatic, M1886, #unk, Pneumatic Torpedo	1891-1902
3	15" Rifle	40"	M1886	unk	Pneumatic Torpedo	Pneumatic, M1886, #unk, Pneumatic Torpedo	1891-1902
Source: CDSG

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey

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Visited: 12-14 Aug 2010