Battery Bankhead (1)

Battery Bankhead (1) (1902-1942) - Battery Henry Bankhead is a concrete Endicott Period 12" mortar battery located on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. MG Henry Bankhead, U.S. Army (Maj., 4th U.S. Cavalry), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 9 Jan 1894. The Battery was begun in Oct 1900, completed in Jun 1902, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 17 Aug 1902 at a total cost of $89,584.47. Four mortars were removed in 1918 during World War I and the remaining mortars were dismounted in 1942 during World War II. Fort Flagler Battery Bankhead Mortar Pit B From Above Fort Flagler Battery Bankhead Mortar Pit A From Above Fort Flagler, Battery Bankhead Panorama Battery Bankhead Model Battery Bankhead Pit A Battery Bankhead Pit B History Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Endicott Period Originally built to house eight 12" M1890 MI mortars on M1896 MI carriages in a concrete battery with two mortar pits. Each of the mortars was capable of firing a seven hundred pound shell nine miles. Battery Bankhead Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes A-1 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 114 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #269, Rarig 1902-1942 A-2 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 77 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #270, Rarig 1902-1918 Removed 1918 A-3 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 90 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #272, Rarig 1902-1942 Became Gun #2 in pit A A-4 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 133 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #271, Rarig 1902-1918 Removed 1918 B-1 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 134 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #273, Rarig 1902-1942 B-2 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 67 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #274, Rarig 1902-1918 Removed 1918 B-3 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 137 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #276, Rarig 1902-1942 Became Gun #2 in pit B B-4 12" Mortar 129.25" M1890MI 128 Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #275, Rarig 1902-1918 Removed 1918 Source: Coast Defense Study Group Battery Bankhead Plan World War I The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. Two mortars (#2 & #4) were removed from each pit in 1918 leaving two mortars in each pit. The remaining mortars in each pit were renumbered 1 and 2. The 4 removed mortars were loaded on U.S. Barge #5 along with 12 other mortars from Fort Worden and Fort Casey (1) on 29 May 1918 and towed by the United States Steamer Wilson to Seattle for shipment overseas. The mortars arrived in Seattle on 30 May 1918. Current Status Part of the Fort Flagler State Park. The Battery is accessible to the public and the rooms are clean and dry but empty. No guns or carriages are in place. Location: Fort Flagler, Marrowstone Point, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.093001 Long: -122.706149 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 119' GPS Locations: 48.093001, -122.706149 Battery Bankhead (1) Sources: Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums Links: Battery Bankhead Photo Gallery Fortification ID: WA0033 - Battery Bankhead (1) Visited: 17 Aug 2022, 19 Jul 2008 Picture Gallery Battery Bankhead Data Booth A Front Battery Bankhead Data Booth A Rear Battery Bankhead Latrine Battery Bankhead Plotting Room Battery Bankhead Shot Room Battery Bankhead Power Room