Battery Lewis

Battery Lewis (1897-1918) - Battery Lewis was built at Fort Stevens between Sep 1896 and Apr 1898 and was transferred for service 3,5 Apr 1898 at a cost of $302,014 (included Battery Walker and Battery Mishler). Originally contained three sets of two gun emplacements (six guns) that were later given three separate names, Battery Walker, Battery Lewis, and Battery Mishler. The original Battery Lewis was named in S.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, as a six-gun battery, for Capt. Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Deactivated in 1918. Battery Lewis Battery Lewis Fire Control Station Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia. A concrete Endicott Period battery facing the mouth of the Columbia River with two, 10" M1888MII rifles on disappearing carriages, one M1896 and one M1894. Battery Lewis originally contained six guns and carriages but was renamed into Battery Mishler, Battery Walker and Battery Lewis each with two guns and carriages. This is a two-story battery with the lower level containing a shot room, a powder room, shot chambers, and tool rooms for each emplacement. In 1905, two Taylor-Raymond electric motor driven, back delivery, shell hoists were installed, one for each emplacement. The battery seems to have been modified for the newer long point shells at a later date. In 1911, a two-story BC station was built at the back of the battery that contained an observing room at the top and a plotting room below, each 15' x 15', at $ 3,398.67. In 1912, Type C powder hoists were installed and transferred 6 May 1912. Retracting motors were installed on both emplacements. Battery Lewis Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MII 11 Bethlehem Disappearing Carriage L.F., M1896, #4d, Niles 1897-1918 See note 1 2 10" Rifle 367.25" M1888MII 49 Watervliet Disappearing Carriage L.F., M1894, #3a, Kilby 1897-1918 See note 1 Source: Form 1, 30 Jun 1921, RCB, 22 Sep 1903, 31 Dec 1910, 31 Dec 1915, 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, page 122-125, 216 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 21 Jun 1918, carriage #4 scrapped 26 May 1920 & held for parts, carriage #3 scrapped 26 May 1920, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Lewis Plan circa 1919 World War I (1917-1918) On 29 May 1918, the removal of the two 10" guns at Battery Walker for service abroad was ordered. The guns were removed 20-21 Jun 1918, shipped to the Watervliet Arsenal and never replaced. The carriages remained until they were scrapped on 26 May 1920. Parts of carriage #4 were kept as spares. Current Status The battery is in fair condition and open to the public. No guns or carriages are in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: On Fort Stevens, Oregon. Maps & Images Lat: 46.207157 Long: -123.968219 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 34' GPS Locations: 46.207109, -123.968487 Battery Lewis 46.207231, -123.968262 Gun Emplacement #1 46.207209, -123.968756 Gun Emplacement #2 Sources: Coast Defense Study Group Links: Fortification ID: OR0100 - Battery Lewis Visited: 18 May 2008, 14 Feb 2008 Picture Gallery Battery Lewis Carriage Mounting Ring Battery Lewis View of Gun Emplacement & Control Station