Battery 220 (1944-1946) - Battery 220 was a reinforced concrete, World War II 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Tilden, Queens County, New York. Battery construction started 14 Oct 1941, was completed 31 Jan 1943 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 11 Apr 1944 at a cost of $ 229,507.29. Never Armed. Deactivated in 1946.
Originally built as an World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903-A2 rapid fire guns mounted on M4 Shielded Barbette Carriages (SBC) placed on either side of an earth covered reinforced concrete support structure. Never Armed.
These 6" World War II coastal gun batteries were designed to replace obsolete Endicott Period Batteries. Of the 87 planned only 45 were completed and many of those were not completed until late in the war (1944-1945).
The 6" guns fired a 105 pound armor-piercing projectile with a range of over 15 miles at a rate of up to 5 rounds per minute. The gun crews were protected by a thick shield around the gun. Only six of these guns remain in the world, two at Fort Columbia in Battery 246, two at Fort Pickens in Battery 234, and two at Fort McAndrew in Battery 282 in Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Source: RCW Form 1, 28 Nov 1944, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 104-105, 207 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA
Battery 220 Plan
Current Status
Now a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area (GNRA) administered by the National Park Service. No period guns or mounts in place.
