Nike site NY-15L. Photo: Don Bender
The Fort Slocum Nike installation was uniquely situated on two islands in western Long Island Sound. Due to the compact nature of each island, the facility had to be split between the two: the control area was built on David’s Island and the launcher area on nearby Hart Island. Historic Fort Slocum served a number of military purposes through the years as both an Army and Air Force installation. Perhaps due to its relatively inaccessible nature, Nike Battery NY-15 was closed during July, 1960 after only five years of operation.
Location
Launcher Area:
Hart Island, NY
Control Area:
David’s Island, NY
Dates of Operation
1955-1960
Radar Types
ACQR
Missile Magazines
2 magazines.
2 type “B”.
Missiles
20 Nike Ajax
Units
Army
D/66th (1955-1958)
D/1/55th (1958-1960)
Current Condition
Both the launcher and control areas are abandoned. A portion of the former launcher area on Hart Island was used as a hospital for the New York City Department of Corrections.