Nine Gun Battery

Nine Gun, Fort Hancock

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Nine Gun Battery was built in four stages over a period of eight years, from 1897 to 1904. When completed, the battery mounted three 10-inch guns and six 12-inch guns. Sandy Hook became the only place in the US and its possessions having a nine gun battery mounting large caliber, disappearing guns. However, the Army found that having only one gun commander for the whole battery made it difficult to coordinate the loading, aiming, and firing of nine big cannons. To solve this problem, in 1904, the Army divided the long battery into four distinct gun batteries, each one commanded by its own gun commander.

Four Gun Commanders

The Army found that one gun commander had a hard time coordinating the loading, aiming, and firing of nine big cannons. To solve this problem, in 1904, the Army divided the long battery into four distinct gun batteries, each one commanded by its own gun commander.

Battery Alexander

This battery is at the north end of Nine Gun Battery. It consisted of two Model 1888, 12-inch, breech-loading rifled guns mounted on Model 1896 disappearing gun carriages. The battery was named in honor of Revolutionary War General William Alexander, known as Lord Sterling, who lived on a large estate in the Basking Ridge section of New Jersey.

Battery Halleck

This battery, next to Battery Alexander, consisted of three Model 1888, 10-inch, breech-loading rifled guns on Model 1896 disappearing gun carriages. The battery was named in honor of Major General Henry W. Halleck, who was the U.S. Army's Chief of Staff during the American Civil War.

Battery Bloomfield

This battery, next to Battery Halleck, consisted of two Model 1888, 12-inch, breech loading, rifled guns mounted on Model 1896 disappearing gun carriages. The battery was named in honor of Brigadier General Joseph Bloomfield, who served during the American Revolution and was governor of New Jersey when the War of 1812 began.

Battery Richardson

This battery, the most southern battery, had two Model 1900, 12-inch, breech loading, rifled guns mounted on Model 1897 disappearing gun carriages. The battery was named in honor of Brigadier General Israel Richardson, who was mortally wounded at the Civil War Battle of Antietam. Today, Antietam is a National Battlefield Park preserved by the National Park Service.