Battery Haslet
Battery Haslet (1920-1943) - Battery Haslet was a reinforced concrete, World War I 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Saulsbury, Sussex County, Delaware. The battery was named after Col. John Haslet, commander 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 (this cost was for both Battery Haslet and Battery Hall). Guns removed to Fort Miles, Battery 519 in 1943.
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World War I (1917-1918)
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 the guns located on open concrete gun pads on the same level as the common magazine and support structure between them. The common magazine and support structure was an earth covered reinforced concrete building that contained shell rooms, powder rooms, a power plant, plotting rooms and personnel facilities. Shells were moved from the magazine to the gun loading platform by shot carts. No shell or powder hoists were provided or needed.
The two guns were mounted on circular concrete pads with sunken gun pits. The guns and gun crews were completely in the open with no protection from incoming fire or from aircraft. The M1917 carriage and the sunken gun pit allowed a gun elevation of 35 degrees, giving the gun a range of over 16 miles.
The guns were proof fired 15 & 16 May 1930.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895MI | A4 | 51 | Watervliet | Barbette, M1917-A2, #23, Watertown | 1920-1943 | See note 1 |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895MI | A4 | 72 | Watervliet | Barbette, M1917-A2, #24, Watertown | 1920-1943 | See note 1 |
| 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: Guns and carriages transferred to Fort Miles, Battery 519 July 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War II (1941-1945)
The guns and carriages of Battery Haslet were authorized to be moved to Battery 519, Fort Miles on 8 Jan 1943 and the emplacement began in March 1943.
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 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG
Links:
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