Battery Hays

 (1905-1942) - Battery Alexander Hays was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 3 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Stark, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. Major General Alexander Hays, U.S. Volunteers (captain, 16th U.S. Infantry), who was killed in action at the Wilderness, Virginia, 5 May 1864, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 3 Apr 1905 at a cost of $ 26,955.20 (this cost includes cost of Battery Lytle). Deactivated in 1942.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1902MI guns mounted on M1902 Pedestal mounts. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and two magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by hand. No shell or powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant in Battery Hunter (2).



World War I (1917-1918)
The guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Hays was not a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan throughout World War II and it appears that both of Battery Hays M1902 guns and mounts were transferred to Battery Hackleman (1) at Fort Constitution (2) early in the war. The M1903 guns and mounts from Battery Hackleman (1) were remounted in the new Battery Hackleman (2) at Fort H.G. Wright (North Hill) in 1942.

Current Status
Part of Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place.

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