Battery Honeycutt

 (1898-1942) - Battery Honeycutt was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 8 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after Captain John T. Honeycutt, 6th U.S. Artillery, a distinguished artillerist, who died 12 Oct 1898, of typhoid fever contracted in the faithful performance of duty in the field. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Jan 1901 at a cost of $ 96,385.61. Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with one 8" M1888MI gun and one 8" M1888MII gun each mounted on a M1896 Disappearing carriage. 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 two Taylor-Raymond front delivery shell hoist. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.



World War I (1917-1918)
The two 8" guns of Battery Honeycutt were listed to be dismounted for use abroad but were later ordered retained.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Honeycutt was obsolete at the beginning of the war but remained a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan until declared no longer required and ordered salvaged on 6 Nov 1942. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 7 & 8 Jun 1943 and the carriages were ordered salvaged on 15 Dec 1942.

Current Status
Mostly private property on Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

Sources:
 * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Fort McKinley Military Reservation D01ME042402, December 1994, Portland, ME. Large pdf download

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