Battery Bloomfield
Battery Bloomfield (1899-1943) - Battery Bloomfield was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Hancock (2), New Jersey. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after BG Joseph Bloomfield, U.S. Army, who served with distinction during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and who died 3 Oct 1832. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 20 Dec 1899 at a cost of $ 94,227.89. Deactivated in 1943.
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Endicott Period
Part of the Harbor Defense of Southern New York.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1888MI1/2 guns mounted on M1896 disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and a separate magazine for each emplacement on the lower level. Shell hoists moved the projectiles from the lower level to the gun loading platform. The back delivery Taylor-Raymond projectile hoists were accepted for service on 20 Sep 1917.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MI1/2 | 43 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1896, #22, Morgan | 1899-1943 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 440" | M1888MI1/2 | 42 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1896, #19, Morgan | 1899-1943 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Jul 1921, 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 124-125, 207 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 6 Dec 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
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. The guns of Battery Bloomfield were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following disarmament program in 1920.
A concrete BC Station was built onto the back of the center traverse and accepted for service on 27 Jun 1921 at a cost of $ 3,537.55.
World War II
The guns and carriages were ordered salvaged 23 Oct 1943.
Current Status
Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Hancock Unit. No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Hancock, Monmouth County, New Jersey Maps & Images Lat: 40.4699391 Long: -74.002887 |
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Visited: 14 Aug 2010
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