Battery Hays

Battery Hays (1905-1942) - Battery Alexander Hays was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Stark, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Major General Alexander Hays (Cullum 1225), U.S. Volunteers (captain, 16th U.S. Infantry), who was killed in action at the Wilderness, Virginia, 5 May 1864, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 3 Apr 1905 at a cost of $ 26,955.20 (this cost includes cost of Battery Lytle). Deactivated in 1942. Battery Hays Gun Emplacement #2 Battery Hays Gun Emplacement #1 Fort Stark, Battery Hays Magazines Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Battery Hays Range Finder Station with Collapsed Roof Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Pedestal mounts. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and two magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Hunter (2). Battery Hays Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 41 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #41, Bethlehem 1905-1942 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 154.35" M1902MI 42 Bethlehem Pedestal, M1902, #42, Bethlehem 1905-1942 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 20 Oct 1935, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 72-73 Note 1: Probably mounted in Battery Hackleman (1) at Fort Constitution (2) in 1942. see supplement and CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Hays Plan 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. The guns of Battery Hays were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Hays was not a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan throughout World War II and it appears that both of Battery Hays M1902 guns and mounts were transferred to Battery Hackleman (1) at Fort Constitution (2) early in the war. The M1903 guns and mounts from Battery Hackleman (1) were remounted in the new Battery Hackleman (2) at Fort H.G. Wright (North Hill) in 1942. Current Status Part of Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Maps & Images Lat: 43.058361 Long: -70.712809 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 33.562', Gun #2= 33.528' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: 7 Jun 2012 Battery Hays Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!