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Battery
Herring as it appears today.
The earth fill was removed
in 1962 by the US Navy and
an addition was built on the
front of the exposed
casemate. It remained
in active use until 1981.
Photo Credit: Nate Davidson |
Operated by: Unknown
Construction on Battery
Herring commenced in January
of 1942, after the start of
World War II. Its 6
inch guns were designed for
close support in the event
that an enemy were able to
run the long range defenses
of
Battery 519 and
Battery Smith. The
battery was armed with two
model 1903A2 6 inch guns on
barbette model M1 carriages
which were removed at the
conclusion of the war.
Battery Herring would sit
abandoned until 1962 when it
was recalled into service as
a top secret listening
facility operated by the
United States Navy.
NAVFAC Lewes was
commissioned on 1 May 1962
and operated until 30
September 1981. During
its service, Battery Herring
was stripped of its earthen
cover and and addition was
built on the front of the
exposed casemate.
Today Battery Herring
remains exposed to the
elements, which are
beginning to take a toll on
its concrete structure.
Delaware State Parks is
currently considering
eventual renovation of the
battery, with a 6 inch gun
mounted on the pad adjacent
to the parking lot and the
interior of the building
dedicated to the
SOSUS
project under which it
served for 26 years.
Battery Herring was named
for Lieutenant Colonel Ralph
E. Herring, Coast Artillery
Corps, US Army. |
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Floor Plan |
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|
Armament |
The table to the
right gives
statistical data for
the 6 inch gun and
the ordnance fired.
Information source:
Fort Miles Archives
|
 |
|
This photo was taken
at
Battery Hunter,
an identical 6 inch
battery at Fort
Miles. The
weapons mounted at
Hunter and Herring
were of the same
model and
configuration.
No known photos of
Battery Herring's
weapons in place
exist. Photo
Credit: Tom Maier |
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6 Inch Gun
M1903A2 on
Barbette Carriage
M1 |
|
Number Produced |
132 |
Ordnance Data |
|
Caliber |
6 inch |
Projectile Weight |
HE - 90 lbs
AP - 105 lbs |
|
Weight |
20,510 lbs |
Projectile Length |
27.625 inches |
|
Powder Charge |
32 lbs |
Stored at Battery |
HE - 200
AP - 300 |
|
Powder Bags |
Weight - 32 lbs
Length - 42.375
inches
Width - 6.375 inches |
Central Storage
(Not at battery) |
HE - 100
AP - 100 |
|
Muzzle Velocity |
2800 fps |
Battery Allowance |
HE - 200
AP - 300 |
|
Maximum Range |
27,100 yds |
War Reserve |
HE - 300
AP - 400 |
|
Elevation |
-5 deg to +47.5 deg |
Table Legend
HE - High
Explosive
AP - Armor Piercing |
|
Traverse |
360 degrees |
|
Crew |
27 |
|
Barrel Life |
N/A |
|
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|
Report of Completed Works |
|
General |
Utilities (cont'd) |
|
Battery Commenced |
15 JAN 1942 |
Electrical Source |
Battery Power Room |
|
Battery Completed |
31 AUG 1943 |
Installed by |
Ordnance |
|
Date of Transfer |
4 MAR 1944 |
Electrical Characteristics |
Voltage: 480 AC
Phase: 3 |
|
Cost to Date |
$181,300 |
No of Units and Capacity |
3 units at 125 KVA each |
|
Construction Material |
Reinforced Concrete |
Max KW req'd for utils. |
20 |
|
Battery New or Modernized |
New |
Max KW req'd for non battle
conditions |
37.5 |
|
Trunnion Elevation in
Battery |
42.0 |
Commercial power provided |
YES
Capacity: 45 KVA |
|
Utilities |
Auxiliary power unit |
NO |
|
Water Source |
City of Lewes, Delaware |
Type of Lighting Fixtures |
Water Tight |
|
Alternate Water Source |
Well system installed. |
Dehumidifying Unit |
York Aire 37,000 BTU/hr |
|
Size of Main |
6 inches |
How Ventilated |
Natural draft thru vent
stacks |
|
Connected to Sewer |
YES |
How Heated |
Plotting, Spotting rooms &
latrine heated by electric
units in AC. |
|
Type of Disposal |
Tank |
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|
Type of Latrine |
Gas Proof |
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Support Structures |
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