Headquarters
Army Ground Forces
Association
Events
Coast Artillery Living History
Ft. Mott, NJ (10 July 2004)
On 10 July 2004, Fort Mott State Park and the Army Ground Forces Association
(AGFA) hosted " The Fall of France and its affect on US Army Coast Defense
Forts". The objective of the event was to provide interpretation of the
Coast Artillery mission of Fort Mott in the summer of 1940. Included within
the event was a major display of 19th Century field artillery and Gatling guns
provided by the Salem Light Artillery.
The members of AGFA participating were Andy Grant (Ft. Mott State Park Historian),
Mike Murray, Jonathan Prostak, Shawn Welch, Ricky Stauber, Jim Richards, Stephen
Turner, Larry Winchell, Mike Bonaccorsi, Peter Morrill, Curtis Saunders. Interpretation,
including uniforms and equipment, was designed to present a view of the Coast
Artillery at Fort Mott in July of 1940.
This event showcased new restoration efforts and acquisitions by AGFA members
and Ft. Mott State Park. The event focused on six "stations" within
the park: the museum, the restored fire control tower, Battery Arnold Emplacement
No. 1, the power generation room, the BC station for Battery Arnold, and a massive
display of Civil War and Spanish American War era Gatling guns and cannon at
the start of the gunline.
The first stop for most visitors was the museum where Coast
Defense Journal editor B.W. Smith displayed coast artillery telescopic sights,
uniforms, and other materials
The museum's own displays, with the added exhibits, provided a good foundation
to understanding the role of Ft. Mott and the coast artillery in 1940s-era
homeland defense. The museum also served as the hub for the communications
installation for Ft. Mott with both a functioning EE-56 time interval apparatus
using the cutout switchbox that was originally installed at Ft. Mott in the
1920's, and the BD-95 fire control switchboard.
The restored fire control tower showcased new acquisitions of
the Park and AGFA members. The displays consisted of two M1910A1 azimuth instruments,
four EE-91 telephones, and an EE-71 telephone. A new addition to the collection
was a restored EE-31 fire control telephone and EE-70 head telephone (headset).
Two EE-70 head telephones made their debut from AGFA member's collections
and performed admirably. These head telephones, manufactured in 1917 and 1927
respectively, were in excellent working condition and proved a pleasant surprise
to the public.
Stephen Turner and Curtis Saunders manned the tower through most of the day
and they ensured the many visitors came away from the visit with a good view
and a good understanding of the use of the tower and its equipment.Stephen
Turner and Curtis Saunders manned the tower through most of the day and they
ensured the many visitors came away from the visit with a good view and a
good understanding of the use of the tower and its equipment.
Many visitors enjoyed the view provided by the M1910A1 azimuth
instruments.
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