Eastern Defense Command
New York-Philadelphia Sector
New York Subsector
The Harbor Defenses of New York
“I am responsible for the safety of
twenty-million people
and the industrial heart of the nation”
Major Army Units at Fort Hancock:
Hq an Hq Btry, Harbor Defenses of New York
7th Coast Artillery (less 2nd Battalion)
245th Coast Arty Reg (HD) (Less 3rd Bn)
265th Coast Arty Reg (HD) (minus)
A Battery, 288th Coast Artillery Battalion (Railway)
5th Mine Planter Battery (USMP Ord)
19th Mine Planter Battery
151st Station Hospital
95th Ordnance Company (Railway Artillery)
113th Infantry Regiment (HHC at Ft. Hancock, rest spread around southern NY/NJ/DE)
Chain of Command
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President of the US- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Vice President of the US- Henry Wallace
Secretary of War- Henry Lewis Stimson
Army Chief of Staff- General George C Marshall
Eastern Defense Command Commander- LTG George Grunert
NY-Phila Sector Commander- MG Homer
NY Sub Sector/HDNY Commander- BG Phillip S Gage
Ambrose Groupment/245th CA Commander- Col Haw
4th Bn. 245th CA Commander- LTC Shawn Welch
Battery K 245th CA Commander- CPT Jonathan Prostak
BG Gage, Commanding, HD NY
Fort Hancock, NJ
Fort Hancock is named in honor of the memory of Major General Winfield Scott
Hancock, US. Army, who served with distinction in the Mexican War and the Civil
war, and who died 9 February 1886. It was named Fort Hancock 30 October 1895,
having previously been known as the Fortifications of Sandy Hook.
The Fort is situated on Sandy Hook, New Jersey guarding the outer entrance to
New York Harbor. The first parcel of land for the site was acquired by the
Government in-1762 at that time for a lighthouse, and additional parcels were
subsequently acquired until the reservation was expanded to its present size.
Construction of the actual fortifications began ill 1890 on the site of the old mine
casemate that dated from 1880. The permanent garrison was not established until
1898 under command of Lieutenant Colonel Tully McCrea of the Fifth Artillery.
Plotting Room and Fire Control
Cases of Pointing
Case I Pointing in which both direction and elevation were given at the gun by means sight pointed at the target. All firing data is determined by
the gun crew.
Case II Pointing in which direction was given at the gun by means of a sight pointed at the target and elevation by means of a range disc with all
data supplied by the range section.
Case III Pointing in which direction was given the gun by means of an azimuth circle or of a sight pointed at an aiming point other than the
target and elevation by range disc. All range and direction data given by the range section.
Plotting Room Detail (page 370-371, FM 4-15, Nov 1943):
Plotter (NCOIC).
No. 1, angular travel device operator (case II only). (Not needed when deflection board Ml is used.)
No. 2, primary arm setter.
No. 3, secondary arm setter.
No. 4, set-forward device operator.
No. 5, range correction board operator.
No. 6, percentage corrector operator.
No. 7, deflection board operator.
No. 8, assistant deflection board operator (note 1).
No. 9, spotting board operator.
Nos. 10 and 11, assistant spotting board operators (note 2).
No. 12, spotting board recorder (note 3).
No. 13, fire adjustment board operator (range).
No, 14, fire adjustment board operator (lateral).
Nos. 15 and 16, recorders (notes 4 and 5).
NOTES1. No. 8 is used only when the deflection board Ml is employed.
2. With some spotting boards only one assistant is necessary.
3. The spotting board recorder fulfills the important function of recording the range and azimuth of the set-forward point or setting on the spotting board at the
proper time.
4. Sufficient recorders are necessary to insure complete and accurate record keeping of drill and target practices. Nos. 15 and 16 are regularly assigned members of
the plotting room detail. When they are not required for recording purposes they may be given other duties. They should be trained as alternates for any
position In the plotting room.
5. Where the data transmission system M5 is used, four operators are required.
Plotting Room Drill
FM 4-15, Fire Control and Position Finding
1) Battery Commander alerts the battery, assigns target, and as Observers report "......, On Target", commands "TRACK".
2) Plotter (Range Detail NCOIC) or Battery Exec (Range Detail OIC) Commands: "Approximate Data" on first hearing "TRACK" (Plot
four success locations of the target ship - repeat steps 2a-c four times)
2a) B' Arm Setter sets arm to data from B' observer
2b) B' ' Arm Setter sets arm to data from B' ' observer
2c) Plotter uses the TARG to plot the point on plotting board onion skin
3) Plotter commands "CLEAR THE BOARD"
4) Plotter measures distance between first and last reading and calculates target travel speed
5) No. 4 calculates target travel speed
6) Plotter measures and plots position of target at instant of firing
7) Plotter measures distance from guns to position of target at instant of firing
8) No.7 Calculates Time of Flight
9) No.4 calculates travel of target from instant of firing to arrival of shell - Set Forward Point
10) Plotter plots Set Forward Point.
11) Plotter measures distance on gun arm to Set Forward Point
12) No.2 reads azimuth on gun arm to Set Forward Point
13) Range Percentage Board Operator......
6-inch M1900 Seacoast Rifle Info
6-inch M1900 Seacoast Rifle on M1900 Barbette Carriage
Barbette Carriage M1900
Total weight of carriage without shield - 38,000 lbs
Total weight of carriage, gun and shield - 45,568 1bs
Diameter of emplacement - 19 feet
Recoil Type- Hydro - spring
Number of hydraulic cylinders - 1
Orifices - 3 groove
Normal length of recoil - 14 in.
Traverse - 360 degrees
One hand wheel turn - 2.78 degrees
Effort required to traverse - 10lbs
Operation - Manual
Maximum elevation - 20 degrees (355.5 mils)
Rate of Fire –
• One round every 15 seconds
• 8 rounds per minute for two gun battery
Ammunition:
• Powder Charge – 32 pounds
• M1911 Armor Piercing Shell – 108 pounds
• Approximately 400 of these projectiles were stored in the Battery
• Muzzle Velocity = 2,600 feet per second
• Maximum range = 16,500 yards (about 9 miles)
• Effective range = 12,000 yards (about 6.8 miles)
• Mk XXXIII Armor Piercing Shot – 105 pounds
• Battery Gunnison/New Peck did not have this type of projectile
• Maximum range = 21,700 yards (about 12 miles)
• Effective range = 16,000 yards (about 9 miles)
• Mk 2A1 High Explosive – 90 pounds (lethal area approx 50 yards)
• Approximately 200 of these projectiles were stored in the Battery
• Maximum range = 14,700 yards (about 8 miles)
• Effective range = 12,000 yards (about 6.8 miles)
Batteries Gunnison/New Peck
6-inch M1900 Rifle Details and Posts
FM 4-75, Service of the Piece 6-inch Barbette Gun
• Total in Section:
• 28 Enlisted
• 1 Officer
• Total Gun Section:
• 15 Enlisted (2 NCOs)
• Total Ammo Section:
• 12 Enlisted (1 NCO)
6-inch M1900 Rifle Loading Drill
FM 4-75, Service of the Piece 6-inch Barbette Gun
1) Chief of Section commands: LOAD
2a) WHEN READY - Range Setter Reports: "Range Set" (Case II and Case III)
2b) WHEN READY - Gun Pointer reports: "Azimuth Set" (Case III only - tells Gun Commander he can fire on TI bell once gun is loaded)
3) No. 1 (breach detail) opens the breech.
4) No. 3 (chief of breach) As soon as the breech is open after firing, he removes the old primer, clears the vent, and cleans the primer seat.
5) No. 2 (breach detail) wipes off the mushroom head and gas check seat.
6) No. 9 Dips the chamber sponge in the liquid for sponging and allows the excess liquid to run off. As soon as the breechblock opened after
each shot, sponges the chamber quickly.
7) No. 2 (breach detail) inserts the loading tray in the breech recess, being careful not to bur or damage the threads in the breech.
8) No. 5 or 6 (projectile detail) inserts a projectile in the breech.
9) No. 4 (rammer detail) places the head of the rammer against the base of the projectile and rams it firmly into its seat.
10) No. 2 (breach detail) withdraws the loading tray.
11) No. 7 or 8 (powder detail) places the powder tray with powder charge in the breech recess and No. 2 pushes the powder into the chamber
by hand to such distance that the breech in closing will give the charge a final push into the chamber.
12) No. 1 (breach detail) Closes the breach.
13) No. 3 (chief of breach) Inserts the primer after the breechblock is closed and locked and lowers the leaf of the firing device completely
down; hooks the lanyard (if firing non-electric) before the primer is inserted; pulls the lanyard at the command FIRE from gun pointer
or upon hearing the third strike of the TI bell.
14) CASE II ONLY - Gun Commander commands: READY (tells gun pointer he can fire when ready)
6-inch M1900 Rifle Duties
FM 4-75, Service of the Piece 6-inch Barbette Gun
BATTERY EXECUTIVE.- The battery executive commands the firing section of the battery and is in charge of the gun emplacements and
accessories. He is responsible to the battery commander for the training and efficiency of the personnel of the firing section, for the
condition of the mat6riel and ammunition under his charge, for the observance of all safety precautions pertaining to the service of the
piece, and for the police of the emplacements.
ASSISTANT BATTERY EXECUTIVE.-The assistant battery executive performs the duties of the battery executive insofar as they pertain to
the emplacement or emplacements to which he is assigned.
CHIEF OF SECTION.-a. The chief of section (gun commander), a noncommissioned officer, is in command of the gun section and gun
squad. He supervises the service of the piece and the service of ammunition, and personally directs the work of care and preservation
at the emplacement to which his section is assigned. He is responsible to the officer in charge of the emplacement for the training and
efficiency of the personnel of his section, for the condition of the mat6riel and ammunition under his charge, for the observance of all
safety precautions at the emplacement, and for the police of the emplacement. He keeps a record of the number of rounds fired by his
gun, showing the date and approximate time, in order that the emplacement book may be kept posted accurately and up to date.
GUN POINTER.-The gun pointer is charged with the duty of pointing the piece in direction. He is responsible to the gun commander for
the proper operation, care, and adjustment of the sight, the traversing mechanism, and the electric firing mechanism and circuit (if
used). For detailed duties, see drill table, section VII.
RANGE SETTER.-The range setter is charged with the duty of laying the piece in range. He is responsible to the gun commander for the
proper operation, care, and adjustment of the elevating mechanism. For detailed duties, see drill table, section VII.
CHIEF OF BREECH.-The chief of breech (No. 3) is responsible to the gun commander for the efficiency of the personnel of the breech
detail. He is specially charged with the observance of safety precautions insofar as they pertain to his detail. He listens for the
explosion of the primer which may be audible if the powder charge fails to explode. For detailed duties, see drill table, section VII.
DISPLAY BOARD OPERATORS.---. The deflection (azimuth) and range display board operators are responsible to the gun commander for
the proper operation of the display boards and recording of all data received from the plotting room.
RECORDERS.-a. The deflection (azimuth) recorder and the range recorder are responsible for the checking and recording of all deflections
(azimuths) and ranges, respectively, set on the gun.
6-inch M1900 Rifle Duties
FM 4-75, Service of the Piece 6-inch Barbette Gun
CHIEF OF AMMUNITION.-a. The chief of ammunition (noncommissioned officer) is responsible to the chief of section for the
efficiency of the personnel of his squad, for the care of the ammunition and ammunition-handling apparatus, for the
uninterrupted service of ammunition, for the observance of all safety precautions in the care and service of ammunition, and
for the police of the magazines and galleries under his charge. He keeps a record of all ammunition received into or delivered
from the magazines and galleries under his charge, exercising particular care that the projectiles, fuses, and powder charges
are listed under proper name and type. He keeps the chief of section informed regarding the ammunition on hand and
reports any defects found.
AMMUNITION SQUAD.-The chief of ammunition divides the six cannoneers of the ammunition squad into two details, the
projectile detail and the powder detail. The size of each detail depends on local conditions and is determined by the battery
commander.
a. Projectile detail.-The chief of ammunition designates one of the cannoneers as chief of detail who supervises the work of
the detail. Previous to and during firing, the detail moves projectiles from the magazine to the serving table, carrying the
projectiles by hand if the battery is not equipped with hoists. In addition, the detail maintains the ammunition and
ammunition-handling apparatus, and polices the magazines and corridors.
b. Powder detail.-The chief of ammunition designates one of the cannoneers as chief of detail who supervises the work of the
detail. The detail keeps a record of all pertinent data including weights of charges, lot number of powder, and temperature of
magazines. In the service of powder, the detail removes from the container the powder charge which is to be served to the
gun for the next round, places it with igniter end to the rear on a powder tray, removes the powder tag and sees that the
powder bag is not defective. The detail carries the loaded tray to the emplacement and turns it over to the powder-serving
detail of the gun squad, and receives an empty tray to be brought back to the magazine for reloading. In addition, the detail
maintains the powder-handling devices and assists the projectile detail.
HECP and Battery Gunnison/New Peck
Tactical #5 (Battery Gunnison/New Peck) is tasked as the examination battery for Advance Harbor Entrance Control Post #1. The
batteries duties are as follows:
The Examination Battery is for the purpose of supporting the Examination Vessel (Ambrose Light Ship) and is designated by the
Army Commander of Harbor Defenses. It is in constant readiness to “bring-to” vessels which fail to comply with orders from
the “Examination Vessel” and largely to enforce obedience to the restrictions imposed in the procedures for conducting the
examination of entering vessels.
The guns of the Exam Battery should always be manned and ready for immediate action. A gun should be kept trained on an
incoming vessel until she has hoisted the correct “special signal” which will indicate that she HAS been passed as friendly BY
the Examining Officer or that she HAS been placed in (in <?) under control of an armed guard. A few rounds of Plugged Shell
should be kept available near the gun to “bring to” vessels, but separate from the service ammunition, so that there may be
no danger of confusing them.
The Exam Battery should be keep a station watch on the Examination Vessel and on merchant vessels entering the port. All officers
and enlisted men manning the Examination Battery should know the position and limit of the Examination Anchorage, mine
fields , net, booms, dangerous areas, prohibited anchorages, etc.
The responsibility for opening fire with the Exam Battery or any other shore battery manned by the Army rests with the Army, but
the HECP or the Examination Vessel may request the proper Army Authorities to open fire if such is deemed necessary to
enforce the regulations for the control of traffic entering the port. A request to “bring-to” a vessel should unhesitatingly be
made under the following circumstances:
a)
If the incoming vessel disregards the orders signaled to her by the Examination Vessel.
b)
Should a vessel disregard a warning shot across the bow, the Exam Battery should open fire with shell on her and this should
be a signal for other batteries to open fire also.
Exam Battery Alert Schedule Info
1) The schedule of ready duty batteries and searchlights herein are effective at 0800, 1 May 1943. Batteries, sections, and
light detachments will stand relieved only when cleared by the Army Duty Officer, Advance HECP No.1.
2) Battery No. 5 (Battery Gunnison) will operate all ALERT No. 1 duties and challenge functions for Advance HECP No.1.
The range and firing sections, Battery K, 245th Coast Artillery, and Battery B, 265th Coast Artillery, will operate under
ALERT No. 1 continuously. Batteries D and F, 265th Coast Artillery, will alternate 2-A duties. Alert duties will be
assumed at 0800 on dates scheduled.
3)
Searchlights as indicated in paragraph 7b below will be on a three (3) minute alert during hours of darkness. Other
lights will be on a ten (10) minute alert. All searchlights will be tested prior to dusk upon arrival at stations and
reported to the Harbor Entrance Control Post. Should any light not be in order, full details will be given at the time of
the report to the Harbor Entrance Control Post.
a. Power plants on the three (3) minute alert will be kept at operating temperatures. Power plants of other lights need
not be kept at operating temperatures after initial testing of lights.
b. Telephone operators of lights only on three (3) minute status will be alert near the telephone. Light details on ten
(10) minute status need not remain awake provided they can be alerted in sufficient time to place the lights is section
within ten (10) minutes after receipt of an alert.
c. Twenty-four hour security guards will be maintained at all lights except where specifically exempted by this
headquarters.
4) All batteries, sections, and detachments on ready duty status will be thoroughly familiar with the following SOP for
Examination/ Ready Duty Batteries.
Exam Battery Procedures
1. Alerting of Batteries – The Examination Battery Maintains one (1) gun crew and, sufficient range personnel to secure necessary
firing data on a twenty-four (24) hour alert basis. The gun crew remains at ease in tents or surrcund1ng area of the Gun
emplacement. If the Harbor Entrance Control Post Duty Officer observes that the Navy is having difficulty during
challenging operations, he will order the range crew to track the ship being challenged. When the Navy gives the ship
orders to halt, the gun crew will be alerted to man the gun.
2. Assignment of Target – the Guardship notifies the HECP at Fort Wadsworth by radio of ships failing to stop when ordered. A
brevity code is used giving the class of ship and its location (Local rid code). The Duty Officer immediately relocates the
target and gives the position to the battery in azimuth and range. When possible, by observation, the following additional
information is given;
a) Hoist being flown, direction of sailing, if there is more than one (1) ship in the area, and the position of the ship in the column. In
order to assist other personnel of the battery not having oriented instruments, the number of the nearest buoy to the ship
is also given. A typical order is as follows:
“Target 1 YMS azimuth 3600 mills, Range 6000 yards as of 1300, inbound Ambrose Channel, near buoy #7, Hoist JAS,
fire 1 bring-to shot with inert ammunition”.
b) In the event the target has previously been assigned to the range crew, the description and location of the target are not repeated.
For destruction fire, the order given is:
“Destruction fire with armor piercing (high explosive) ammunition, begin firing”.
3. During the process of tracking, the position of the target was verified by securing simultaneously plots from HECP #1, the
Examination Battery, and if possible, the Guard Ship.
4. The Battery has a standing order to immediately track fast moving targets, PT’s, submarines and amphibious craft. The observer
must keep the Guardship under surveillance for any type of signal at all times.
HECP#1- Exam Vessel
Fort Hancock Batteries
(1) – Construction Number 219 Located at Navesink Highlands.
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Two 6-inch 1903A2 mounted on Shielded Barbette Carriage (SBC)
Range 27,500 yards.
Under construction by 8 July 1942.
Proof fired 28 August 1943.
(2) - LEWIS (Const No. 116) Located at Navesink Highlands.
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Two 16" 2-MK2M1 BC Range 44,000 yards.
Under construction 1 June 1942.
Proof Firing scheduled December 1943
(3) - KINGMAN (c)
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12" 2-1895M1 BC; Range 29,300 yards.
Work on casemating started 12 August 1941.
Casemating is completed 30 April 1942.
In Class "B" 14 November 1942.**
(4) - MILLS (c)
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12" 2-1895M1 BC - Range 29,300 yards.
Work on casemating started 13 April 1942.
Casemating completed by 31 October 1942.
In Class "B" 14 November 1942.**
RICHARDSON (0)
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12" 2-1895M1 DC – Range 17,000 yards.
Restored to Class "A" 1 June 1941.
In rust preventative (Class B) August 1942.
In Class "C" 3 November 1942 (disposal authorized Nov 1943)
BLOOMFIELD
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Two 12-inch M888M1 DC – Range 17,000 yards.
Restored to Class "A" 12 June 1941.
In rust preventative (Class B) Aug. 1942.
In Class "C" 3 November 1942 (disposal authorized Nov 1943).
ALEXANDER
– Two 12-inch M1888M2 DC – Range 17,000 yards.
– Class "C“ in 1940
– Ordered turned over to ordnance for salvage Nov 1942.
Batteries with Tactical Numbers (#) are permanent batteries, those without (#) will be disposed of upon completion of all new batteries.
Fort Hancock Batteries
HALLECK
One 10-inch M1888, one 10-inch M888M1 DC
Class "C" in 1941, turned over to Ordnance for Salvage Nov 1942.
GRANGER
One 10-inch M1888M2, one 10-inch M888M1 DC
Turned over for Salvage Nov 1942.
( 5) - PECK(s)
6" 2-1900 BC, Range 17,000 Yards.
In Class "A" in 1941. Relocated to Battery Gunnison/New Peck
Gun #1 moved 8 April 1943; Gun #2 moved 21 May 1943
Initial operational capability May 1943, Full operations August 1943
GUNNISON
(Battery Peck relocated to emplacement of Btry Gunnison)
6" 2-1903 DC – range 14,000 yards.
Class "A" in 1941.
Placed in Class “C" 3 November 1942.
Work of dismantling started 8 March 1943.
(6) - URMSTON
3" 2-1903 RF, Range 11,000 yards.
In Class "A" in 1941.
Class “C” 28 July 1943.
(7) - AMTB No. 1
90mm 4-Ml, Range 8000 yards.
Battery manned as of 28 January 1943, Class "A"
(8) - AMTB No.2
90mm 4-M1 (##), Range 8000 yards.
Battery manned as of 28 January 1943, Class “A”
(9) - MORRIS
3" 4-1903 RF, Range 11,000 yards. Class "A" in 1941(Class C Nov 1943)
AA No. 1
3" 3-1917MA2 AA Antiaircraft: batteries Class "A“ (Class C Nov 1943)
AA No.2
3" 3-1917A2 AA Antiaircraft: batteries Class "A“ (Class C Nov 1943)