Battery Peck

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 Coastal Artillery for use 10 Nov 1903 at a cost of $ 33,940.25. Deactivated in 1943.

Fort Hancock Battery Peck BC Station	Fort Hancock Battery Peck Shell Hoist
Fort Hancock Battery Peck from the Rear

Endicott Period

Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.

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.

Battery Gunnison Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		27	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #12, Rock Island	1905-1943	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	310.4"	M1900		28	Watervliet	Barbette, M1900, #17, Watervliet	1905-1943	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, 17 Nov 1927, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 96-97, 207 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Peck Plan

World War I

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. 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.

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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4714041 Long: -74.0057516 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: #1=28.399', #2=28.429'

Sources:

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Visited: 14 Aug 2010

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