Battery Crenshaw

Battery Crenshaw (1900-1920) - Battery Crenshaw was constructed at Fort Columbia between April of 1899 and June of 1900, with the third emplacement being completed in October 1900. The first and second emplacements were transferred to service on June 28, 1900, and the third emplacement on Oct. 29, 1900, for a total cost of $15,462.51. Battery Crenshaw was named after Captain Frank F. Crenshaw, who died 5 Jun 1900, of wounds, received in action at the Philippines during the Spanish American War. The battery was deactivated in 1920. View of Battery Crenshaw, Feb 2008 Side view of Battery Crenshaw, March 22, 2008. Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia. A concrete Endicott Period battery that, along with Battery Smur, protected the Columbia River Minefield between Fort Columbia and Fort Stevens. The battery was armed with three 3-inch rapid-fire rifles that sat on Masking Parapet mounts. The battery was active for only eighteen years. Battery Crenshaw Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 97 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #97, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 2 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 98 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #98, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 3 3" Rifle 154.5" M1898MI 104 Driggs-Seabury Masking Parapet, M1898, #104, Driggs-Seabury 1900-1920 Source: CDSG Battery Crenshaw Plan 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. Battery Crenshaw was unaffected by the World War I redistribution but was caught up in the following 1920 disarmament program that saw all of the M1898 gun batteries deactivated and disarmed. The battery was deactivated in 1920 and the guns were transferred back to Watervliet in June 1920. The carriages were ordered scrapped on 20 May 1920. Current Status The battery is in excellent condition. The collars and pedestal mounts still remain. No period guns or mounts in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Columbia, Pacific County, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 46.251531 Long: -123.920544 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Battery Crenshaw Elevation: 80' GPS Locations: 46.251531, -123.920544 Battery Crenshaw Sources: Links: CDSG Fortification ID: WA0037 - Battery Crenshaw Visited: 22 Mar 2008, 16 Feb 2008 Picture Gallery Side view of Battery Crenshaw. First and second of three gun emplacement Battery Crenshaw First gun emplacement Close up of the first gun platform. Gun platforms two and three. Close up of the second gun platform. Stairs to first magazine room Stairs to second magazine room Stairs to third magazine room Stairs to third magazine room from the top Third magazine room entrance Right side view of Battery Crenshaw. Entrance to the third magazine room from the terreplein Observing station Bomb Proof Room: Entrance Bomb Proof Room: Inside Magazine Room 1 Magazine Room 2 Magazine Room 3