Battery Hentig

Battery Hentig (1901-1942) - Battery Hentig was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Delaware, Delaware. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Capt. Edmund C. Hentig, 6th U.S. Cavalry, who was killed 13 Aug 1881, in action with Indians at Cibiou Creek, Arizona Teritory. Battery construction started 1 Sep 1900, was completed 29 Apr 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 Sep 1901 at a cost of $ 15,758.67. Deactivated in 1942. Fort Delaware, Battery Hentig Gun Emplacement #1 Fort Delaware, Battery Hentig Gun Emplacement #2 Battery Hentig with Fort Delaware in the Background Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 Barbette ARF carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns mounted on the upper level and two powder magazines below. No powder or shell hoists were provided. Electrical power for lighting was provided from Battery Torbert. Battery Hentig Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 170" M1903 54 Watervliet Barbette, M1903, #52, Watertown 1901-1942 See note 1 2 3" Rifle 170" M1903 87 Watervliet Barbette, M1903, #95, Watertown 1901-1942 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, Jun 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 74-75., 208 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Hentig Plan World War I 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 Hentig were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II Guns and carriages removed to Fort Miles as a part of Battery No. 5 on 19 May 1942. Current Status No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Delaware, New Castle County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 39.588559 Long: -75.567698 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1=20.87', Gun #2=20.9' Recent Blog Posts: Fort Mott, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont on the Delaware River Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG Links: Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library Visited: 6 Aug 2010