Battery Stricker (1899-1918) - Battery Stricker was a concrete Endicott Period 12" gun battery located on Fort Howard (1), Maryland. The Battery was named 11 Feb 1902 for Brig. Gen. John Stricker, 3rd Brigade, Maryland Militia at the battle for Baltimore in 1814. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 5 Jul 1899 at a total cost of $ 113,499.04. Deactivated in 1918.
Battery Stricker Gun Emplacement #1
Battery Stricker Gun Emplacement #2
History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Baltimore.
Battery Stricker was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12" gun battery with one M1888MII gun and one M1888MI1/2 gun each mounted on an M1896 disappearing gun carriage. The carriages were originally sent to Fort Howard on 18 Feb 1899 and 3 Nov 1898 from the manufacturers. The Battery was deactivated in 1918 and the guns were removed on 9 Jul 1918 and shipped to Fort Hamilton (1). The Carriages were scrapped on 12 Mar 1923.
In 1920 Battery Stricker was modified to house a C.R.F. Station and plotting room for Battery Nicholson as well as a plotting room for Battery Key. All of this work was accepted for service on 19 Nov 1920. The 1922 plan for Battery Stricker shows these modifications.
Battery Stricker Armament (edit list)
Empl No
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Caliber Type
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Barrel Length
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Model
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Serial No
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Manufacturer
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Carriage
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Service Dates
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Notes
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1
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12" Rifle
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440"
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M1888MII
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34
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Watervliet
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Disappearing, M1896, #24, Morgan
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1899-1918
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See Note 1 Rounds fired 213
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2
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12" Rifle
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440"
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M1888MI1/2
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36
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Watervliet
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Disappearing, M1896, #9, Bethlehem
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1899-1918
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See Note 1 Rounds fired 206
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Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1 1 May 1922, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 138, 208 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA, CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA. Gun positions confirmed by RCB.
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Current Status
On Fort Howard County Park, Maryland. No period guns or carriages are in place.
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Location:On Fort Howard County Park, Maryland.
Maps & Images
Lat: 39.1962182 Long: -76.4431822
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Sources:
- Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
- U.S. Corps of Engineers, Report of Completed Works - Seacoast Fortifications (RCW) from NARA, CDSG file: HowardRCW.pdf
- Form 7, page 7, dated 1 Apr 1922
- Form 1, page 6, dated 1 May 1922
- CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA, CDSG file: 12in Guns M1888001.pdf, page 1, 4.
- CDSG gun carriage card collection from NARA, CDSG file: 12in DC M1896 001.pdf, page 1 .
- U.S. Corps of Engineers, Engineering Journal from NARA, CDSG file: EngBalt.pdf, pages 14-18.
- U.S. Corps of Engineers, Report of Completed Batteries, Etc. (RCB) from NARA, CDSG file:
- Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 138, 209.
Links:
Visited: 3 Apr 2009
Battery Stricker Picture Gallery
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Battery Stricker Entry Road
Battery Stricker Shell Lift
Searchlight Power House behind Battery Stricker
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