Battery 247
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Battery 247 (1944-1947) - A World War II reinforced concrete gun battery built at Fort Canby between 9 Feb 1943 and 31 Aug 1944 at a cost of $243,397. Transfered to service 28 Oct 1944. Deactivation started Jul 1945 and troops were withdrawn by Oct 1947.
Battery 247 History
One of three like batteries that provided a "triangle of fire" protection for the mouth of the Columbia River. Battery 245 at Fort Stevens, Battery 246 at Fort Columbia and Battery 247 at Fort Canby made up the three points of the triangle.
Armament consisted of two rapid fire 6", Model T2, 309.9" long rifled guns each mounted in a separate shielded M4 Barbette carriage. Between the two guns was a reinforced concrete bunker housing the ammunition and control mechanisms.
These 6" World War II coastal gun batteries were designed early in the war to replace obsolete Endicott Period Batteries. Of the 87 planned only 45 were completed and many of those were not completed until late in the war (1944-1945).
The 6" guns fired a 105 pound armor-piercing projectile with a range of over 15 miles at a rate of up to 5 rounds per minute. The gun crews were protected by a thick shield around the gun. Only six of these guns remain in the world, two at Fort Columbia in Battery 246, two at Fort Pickens in Battery 234, and two at Fort McAndrew in Battery 282 in Argentia, Canada.
| No. | Caliber | Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6" | 309.9" | T2 | 15 | Watervliet | Barbette M4, #3, Wellman Eng. Co. | Jul 1944-(1947 or 1948) | |
| 2 | 6" | 309.9" | T2 | 17 | Watervliet | Barbette M4, #4, Wellman Eng. Co. | Jul 1944-(1947 or 1948) | |
| Source: Coastal Defense Study Group | ||||||||
Current Status
Battery 247 is located on McKenzie Head in Cape Disappointment State Park near Ilwaco, Washington. The battery is open to the public and in reasonable condition. Follow the signs to McKenzie Head and park in the small lot at the base of the trail. It's a short climb from the parking lot to the battery above. Parking is limited.
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Location: Fort Canby, McKenzie Head, Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 46.28427 Long: -124.065693
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Sources:
- Lucero, Donella J. and Hobbs, Nancy L., The Long Beach Peninsula: Where the Columbia Meets the Pacific, Arcadia Publishing, North Beach Peninsula, 2004, 159 pages, ISBN 0738524573, page 48
- CDSG - Battery 247
Links:
Visited: 16 Feb 2008
Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
 South Gun Mount |
 Interior from the South Entrance |
 Observation Deck |
 Storage Shed Behind the Battery |
