Battery Murphy (1)

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Battery Murphy (1) (1900-1945) - Battery Murphy was constructed between April of 1899 and June of 1900 at Fort Columbia, Pacific County, Washington. The battery was transferred for service on 29 Jun 1900 for a total cost of $58,623.82. Battery Murphy is named after Captain William L. Murphy (Cullum 3861), who was killed in the Philippines on 13 Aug 1900, during the Spanish-American War. The Battery was deactivated in 1945.

Battery Murphy in the Background 2008
Ammunition Hoist Battery Murphy 2008

History

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia.

Battery Murphy was the longest active Endicott Period battery at Fort Columbia, providing 45 years of continuous active military service in the Harbor Defense Project. The battery was in three wars before finally being deactivated on 24 Aug 1945. The battery was armed with two 6-inch disappearing rifles. Though the guns never fired at an enemy, they fired thousands of shells in practice drills throughout their service.

Battery Murphy Armament (edit list)
Empl
No
Caliber
Type
Barrel
Length
Model Serial
No
Manufacturer Carriage Service
Dates
Notes
1 6" Rifle 277.85" M1897MI 15 Watervliet Disappearing Carriage, M1898,
#9, Watervliet
1900-1945
2 6" Rifle 277.85" M1897MI 24 Watervliet Disappearing Carriage, M1898,
#10, Watervliet
1900-1945
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 1921, CDSG
Battery Murphy Plan


Current Status

The battery is in excellent shape and open to the public. There is a project to restore the Hodges shell hoists and wire the battery with lights, though none of these projects seem to be started yet. No period guns or carriages are in place.


Location: Fort Columbia, Pacific County, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 46.251685 Long: -123.921238



GPS Locations:

Sources:

Links:

Fortification ID:

  • WA0048 - Battery Murphy (1)

Visited: 16 Feb 2008, 22 Mar 2008, 27 Aug 2008

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