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Battery Hunter as it appears
today. The doors of
the casemate are sealed by a
bar welded across the center
entrance. The steps
lead to the hawk watch
station, which provides an
excellent view of the
Atlantic Ocean.
Photo Credit: Nate Davidson |
Operated by: Unknown
Battery Hunter was the
second of twin 6 inch
batteries built at Fort
Miles. It is located
just to the north of Battery
519 near the present day
beach bath house.
Funds were allocated for
construction of Battery
Hunter in FY1942 and was
completed in December of
1943. Its armament is
identical to that of Battery
Herring, which was completed
only a few months earlier.
It, like its sister
batteries
Herring and
Battery 223 in Cape May
is of typical design, with
the BC station on the roof.
The battery carried only one
gun in May of 1945, and at
the conclusion of the war
was completely disarmed.
Today Battery Hunter serves
as the Hawk Watch for
visitors of Cape Henlopen
State Park, providing a
breathtaking view of the
Atlantic Ocean. For
this reason, the top of the
casemate has become a
popular wedding spot.
Currently there are no plans
for restoration of Battery
Hunter, however, its
interior blast doors will
find a new home inside of
Battery 519 as
replacements for missing
doors in that restored
casemate. Battery
Hunter was named for Colonel
Charles H. Hunter, Coast
Artillery Corps, US Army. |
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|
Floor Plan |
 |
|
Armament |
The table to the
right gives
statistical data for
the 6 inch gun and
the ordnance fired.
Information source:
Fort Miles Archives
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 |
|
Six inch gun on
barbette carriage M1
at Battery Hunter.
Identical guns were
mounted at
Battery Herring
and
Battery 223.
Photo: Fort Miles
Archives |
|
|
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 APR 1942 |
Electrical Source |
Battery Power Room |
|
Battery Completed |
29 OCT 1943 |
Installed by |
Ordnance |
|
Date of Transfer |
13 DEC 1943 |
Electrical Characteristics |
Voltage: 480 AC
Phase: 3 |
|
Cost to Date |
$180,200 |
No of Units and Capacity |
3 units at 125 KVA each |
|
Construction Material |
Reinforced Concrete |
Max KW req'd for utils. |
200 |
|
Battery New or Modernized |
New |
Max KW req'd for non battle
conditions |
37.5 |
|
Trunnion Elevation in
Battery |
12.0 |
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 |
NONE |
Dehumidifying Unit |
York Aire 350 |
|
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 |
|
|
|
Type of Latrine |
Gas Proof |
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|
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|
Support Structures |
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Additional Photos |
 |
 |
Each of the 6 inch guns at
Battery Herring, Battery
Hunter, and Battery 223 sat
on massive ball bearing turn
tables that allowed 360
degrees of movement.
Photo Credit: Fort Miles
Archives |
Currently Fort Miles has one
6 inch gun on display.
This gun is undergoing
restoration and will be
operational for firing
demonstrations.
Photo Credit: Nate Davidson |
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