Battery 249 (1943-194?) - A World War II era Battery built in 1943-1945 as a reinforced concrete coastal artillery battery on Camp Hayden, Clallam County, Washington. Guns were removed about 1946 but the concrete emplacements and battery support structure remains.
Originally built as a World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" T2-M1 rapid fire guns mounted on M4 Shielded Barbette Carriages (SBC) placed on either side of an earth-covered reinforced concrete support structure. Construction began on 12 Apr 1943 and was completed on 2 Jan 1945. The Battery was turned over for service on 5 Jan 1945 at the cost of $350,000. Both guns and carriages were removed after World War II.
These 6" World War II coastal gun batteries were designed 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, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Source: 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 104-105, 217 Note 1: Guns were transferred from Watervliet 31 May 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA
Battery 249 Plan
Current Status
Part of Salt Creek Recreation Area, Camp Hayden Clallam County Park, Clallam County, Washington. No guns or carriages in place. Currently, a bat habitat and the entrances are blocked by metal grates to prevent people from disturbing the bats. Special permission is required for entry.
