Battery Schenck

Battery Schenck (1899-1942) - Battery Alexander Schenck is a concrete Endicott Period 12" mortar battery located on Fort Casey, Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington. Named in G.O. 20, 25 Jan 1906, after Lt. Colonel Alexander D. Schenck, U.S. Artillery Corps, who died 16 Sep 1905. The Battery was begun in 1898, completed in 1899, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 16 Jun 1902 at a total cost of $46,603.50. The mortars were dismounted in 1942 during World War II. Battery Schenck Pit B Battery Schenck Mortar Pit A Battery Schenck, Pit A from Above Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Originally built with eight 12" M1890 MI mortars on M1896 MI carriages in a concrete battery with two mortar pits. Each of the mortars was capable of firing a seven hundred pound shell nine miles and proved accurate enough to hit a moving practice target seven miles away in 1913. This battery was a continuation of Battery Seymour and the two batteries were joined by an earthwork topped with common a set of storerooms. Battery Schenck Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes A-1 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 48b Bethlehem Mortar, M1896MI, #141, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 A-2 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 55d Bethlehem Mortar, M1896MI, #139, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 A-3 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 48a Builders Mortar, M1896MI, #140, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 A-4 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 47 Builders Mortar, M1896MI, #137, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 B-1 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 45 Builders Mortar, M1896MI, #293, Rarig 1902-1942 B-2 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 54 Bethlehem Mortar, M1896MI, #126, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 B-3 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 55c Watervliet Mortar, M1896MI, #112, Providence 1902-1942 B-4 12" Mortar 141.12" M1890MI 14 Niles Mortar, M1896MI, #127, Am. Hoist & D. Co. 1902-1942 Source: CDSG Battery Schenck 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 Schenck was identified to lose four mortars to the European campaign in 1918. The mortars were retained when it became clear that the war was drawing to a close. World War II (1941-1945) All eight of Battery Schenck's mortars were removed in 1942, during World War II. Current Status Part of the Fort Casey (1) State Park on Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington. The Battery is accessible to the public and the rooms are clean and dry but empty. No guns or carriages are in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Casey, Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.161382 Long: -122.67594 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 49' GPS Locations: 48.161382, -122.67594 Battery Schenck Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Puget Sound, (CCA-AN-PS), 12 Aug 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Battery Schenck Virtual Tour Fortification ID: WA0059 - Battery Schenck Visited: 2 May 2014, 18 Jul 2008 Picture Gallery Battery Schenck Shell Gallery Entrance Battery Schenck Shell Gallery Battery Schenck Pit B Telephone & Signal Booth Battery Schenck Plotting Room Pad Battery Schenck Pit A Telephone & Signal Booth Battery Schenck Pit A Telephone & Signal Booth Interior Battery Schenck Stairs to Store Rooms Battery Schenck Pit A from Above Battery Schenck Mortar Pit B from Above