Battery 402 (1943-1950) - Battery 402 was a reinforced concrete, World War II 8-inch coastal gun battery on Fort Schwatka, Amaknak Island, Alaska. Battery construction started on 3 Nov 1942, was completed on 8 Nov 1943 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use on 8 Nov 1943. Deactivated in 1950.
Battery 402 Magazine Interior, Shell Table on the Left.
Originally built as a World War II concrete coastal gun battery with two 8" MkVI-M3A2 rapid fire guns mounted on M-1 Barbette Carriages placed on either side of an earth covered reinforced concrete magazine and support structure. Power was supplied by internal generators and commercial power.
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 Aug 1944, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 3rd Edition - PDF, CDSG ePress, McLean, VA, 2012, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, page 114-115 Note 1: CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Gun #114 transferred to Battery 402 6 Mar 1943 Gun # 238 transferred to Battery 402 14 Feb 1943 Both guns were destroyed by explosives in August 1946.
Battery 402 Plan.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place. Remains of the two concrete gun emplacements and the underground magazine survive as well as foundation ruins of other buildings.
U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of Dutch Harbor, (SRHDDH), 1944, CDSG
Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 3rd Edition - PDF, CDSG ePress, McLean, VA, 2012, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, page 224,229 M1 Barbette carriage (long-range) BCLR
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