Battery Murphy (1)

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 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 82' GPS Locations: 46.251685, -123.921238 Battery Murphy (1) Sources: Links: CDSG Coast Defense Study Group Fortification ID: WA0048 - Battery Murphy (1) Visited: 16 Feb 2008, 22 Mar 2008, 27 Aug 2008 Picture Gallery Right Side Center Left Side Shell hoists First Gun Emplacement First Gun Emplacement Stairs First Gun Emplacement Walkway First Gun Emplacement Storage Room Latrine Second Gun Emplacement Walkway Oil Room Central Corridor Second Gun Emplacement Magazine Room Second Gun Emplacement Stairs Second Gun Emplacement Guard Room Door Guard Room Magazine Room Main Storage Room Entrance Main Storage Room Passageway Passageway - First gun emplacement Passageway - Second gun emplacement First Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Loading Room First Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Elevator First Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Outside Second Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Loading Room Second Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Elevator Second Gun Emplacement Shell Hoist - Outside First Gun Emplacement Shell Room - Entrance First Gun Emplacement Shell Room Second Gun Emplacement Shell Room - Entrance Second Gun Emplacement Shell Room Second Gun Emplacement Shell Room First Gun Emplacement Shot Room - Entrance First Gun Emplacement Shot Room First Gun Emplacement shot room Second Gun Emplacement Shot Room - Entrance