| PRINCIPLE ARMAMENT - BATTERY HUNTER |
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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
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Related Documents
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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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FM 4-75 SOP 6" Gun on Barbette
Range Table
Report of Completed Works (PDF) |
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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
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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
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6 Inch Gun M1903A2 on Barbette Carriage M1
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| Number Produced |
132 |
Ordnance Data
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| 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
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| Traverse |
360 degrees |
| Crew |
27 |
| Barrel Life |
N/A |
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| Report of Completed Works |
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General
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Utilities (cont'd)
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| 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 |
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Utilities
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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 |
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| Type of Latrine |
Gas Proof |
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| Support Structures |
| Plotting Room: |
Plotting room located in battery. |
| Fire Control Towers: |
FCT #2, FCT #3, FCT #6, FCT #9, FCT #13, FCT #14 |
| Radars (SCR-296A): |
Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4
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| Additional Photos |
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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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