Battery Peck

 (1903-1943) - Battery Peck was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 105, 9 Oct 1902, after 1st Lt. Fremont P. Peck, Ordnance Department, U.S. Army, who was accidentally killed 10 Feb 1895, by the bursting of a gun at Sandy Hook Proving Ground, New Jersey. Battery construction started in 1901, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 10 Nov 1903 at a cost of $ 33,940.25. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Barbette carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a common magazine on the lower level. Two hand powered Hodges shell hoists lifted the ammunition from the lower level to the gun loading platform. The shell hoists were transferred for use on 10 Nov 1903.



World War I
Battery Peck was not affected by the World War I redistribution or the 1920 disarmament program.

World War II
In early 1943 the guns and carriages were removed to Battery Gunnison for use as an examination battery. This battery was then modified for use as Battery AMTB 8 - Peck and two 90mm guns were mounted alongside the old gun positions.

Current Status
Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place. The battery is very overgrown and deteriorating.

Recent Blog Posts:
 * Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook NJ

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