Battery Hitchcock

 (1899-1939) - Battery John Hitchcock was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 10‑inch coastal gun battery on Fort Strong (2), Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The battery was named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Brevet 1st Lieutenant John Ford Hitchcock, U.S. Army (2nd Lieutenant, 18th U.S. Infantry), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who was killed in action at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 31 Dec 1862. Battery construction started in 1893, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 21 Oct 1899 at a cost of $ 336,632.73 (including $ 66,997.00 for later modernization, cost includes Battery Ward)). Deactivated in 1939.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 10" M1888MI guns and one M1888MII gun mounted on two M1894 and one M1896 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by three Taylor-Raymond shell hoists. Three Type C powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant and the central power plant.



World War I (1917-1918)
All three of the guns of Battery Strong were listed to be dismounted for service abroad. On 25 May 1918 one 10" gun from Battery Strong was ordered dismounted for service abroad and it was reported shipped on 24 Jun 1918. The remaining two guns were ordered to be remounted and retained. The empty carriage in emplacement #1 was eventually ordered salvaged on 29 Aug 1931.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Hitchcock was obsolete at the beginning of World War II and the guns and carriages were ordered scrapped on 4 Nov 1942.

Current Status
Operated by The Boston Public Health Commission on Long Island, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Closed to the public, advanced permission required to visit. No period guns or mounts in place.

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