Battery Acker

 (1902-1943) - Battery Acker was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort McKinley, Great Diamond Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Captain William H. Acker, 16th U.S. Infantry, who was killed 7 Apr 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, during the U.S. Civil War. Battery construction started in 1899, was completed in 1902 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 11 Dec 1902 at a cost of $ 56,100.00. Deactivated in 1943.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1897MI guns mounted on M1898 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 two Hodges back delivery hand operated hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.



World War I (1917-1918)
The guns of were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. The guns do appear to have been dismounted in 1917 as indicated in the 31 March 1919 RCW but they are shown remounted in the 20 May 1920 RCW.

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Acker was obsolete at the beginning of World War II but remained a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan until 15 Aug 1943 when it was ordered salvaged. The guns were transferred to Watervliet on 14 Oct 1943 and the carriages were ordered scrapped 15 Aug 1943.

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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