Battery Stoddard

Battery Stoddard (1903-1917) - Battery Amos Stoddard is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Jefferson County, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Major Amos Stoddard, 1st U.S. Artillery, who died 11 May 1813, of wounds received at Fort Meigs (1), Ohio, 28 Apr 1813, during the War of 1812. The Battery was begun in Jul 1903, completed in 1906, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 21 May 1907 at a total cost of $91,000. The guns were removed in 1917 during World War I. Battery Stoddard Gun #1 Position Battery Stoddard Magazine #1 Battery Stoddard Magazine 2. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Battery Amos Stoddard was built with four 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages. These guns could fire a 108-pound shell seven miles. World War I (1917-1918) 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. All the Battery Stoddard guns were removed on 31 Dec 1917 and sent to Watervliet in preparation for overseas shipment. All four guns were shipped to France in 1918 and later returned in 1919 and placed in storage depots. All four of these guns were later reused in World War II batteries. #17 Battery 222 Fort Miles, Delaware Bay #19 Battery 262 San Juan #45 Battery 291 Fort Peirce, Sitka (unknown if actually sent) #61 Battery 281 Fort McAndrew, Argentia Battery Stoddard was not rearmed after World War I. Battery Stoddard Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 300" M1903 17 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #43, Wellman 1907-1917 See Note 1 2 6" Rifle 300" M1903 19 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #44, Wellman 1907-1917 See Note 1 3 6" Rifle 300" M1903 45 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #89, Wellman 1907-1917 See Note 1 4 6" Rifle 300" M1903 61 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #90, Wellman 1907-1917 See Note 1 Source: RCW Form 1 1921, RCB 31 Dec 1909, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 98-99, 217 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917, carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Stoddard Plan Current Status Part of the Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. The Battery is accessible to the public but most of the rooms are locked or welded shut. No period guns or carriages are in place. Location: Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.13676 Long: -122.763752 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 113' GPS Locations: 48.13676, -122.763752 Battery Stoddard Sources: Fort Worden Guide, The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, 2005, page 19. Links: Seacoast Defense Photos Battery Stoddard Virtual Tour CDSG Fortification ID: WA0061 - Battery Stoddard Visited: 19 Jul 2008 Picture Gallery Battery Stoddard Gun #2 Position Battery Stoddard Middle Room Battery Stoddard Gun #3 Position Battery Stoddard Gun #4 Position Battery Stoddard Gun Mount Battery Stoddard Storage Room