Battery Hitchcock

Battery Hitchcock (1899-1939) - Battery John Hitchcock was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Brevet 1st Lieutenant John Ford Hitchcock, U.S. Army (2nd Lieutenant, 18th U.S. Infantry), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who was killed in action at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 31 Dec 1862. Battery construction started in 1893, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 21 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 336,632.73 (including $ 66,997.00 for later modernization). Deactivated in 1939.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Boston, Massachusetts.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1888MI guns and one M1888MII gun mounted on two M1894 and one M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by three Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant and the central power plant.

**Battery Hitchcock Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	267.25"	M1888MII	53	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1894, #32, Southwark	1899-1918	See note 1
2	10" Rifle	267.25"	M1888MI	43	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1894, #33, Watertown	1899-1942	See note 2
3	10" Rifle	267.25"	M1888MI	31	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1896, #12, Watertown	1899-1942	See note 2
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Apr 1928, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 122-125 Note 1: Gun transferred to Watervliet 18 Jun 1918, carriage ordered salvaged on 29 Aug 1931. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns and carriages ordered scrapped on 4 Nov 1942. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

World War I (1917-1918)

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. All three of the guns of Battery Strong were listed to be dismounted for service abroad. On 25 May 1918 one 10" gun from Battery Strong was ordered dismounted for service abroad and it was reported shipped on 24 Jun 1918. The remaining two guns were ordered to be remounted and retained. The empty carriage in emplacement #1 was eventually ordered salvaged on 29 Aug 1931.

World War II (1941-1945)

Battery Hitchcock was obsolete at the beginning of World War II and the guns and carriages were ordered scrapped on 4 Nov 1942.

Current Status

Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Maps & Images

Lat: 42.32997 Long: -70.955928

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Elevation: 107.6'

Sources:

U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Boston, Massachusetts, (HDB-AN-45), 31 Jan 1945, CDSG

Links:

CDSG

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