Battery 131

Battery 131 (1945-194?) - A World War II era reinforced concrete Coastal Artillery Battery built in 1943-1945 on Camp Hayden, Washington. Guns were scrapped and removed about 1948 but the concrete Battery support structure remains.

Camp Hayden, Battery 131 Gun #2 Foreground, Gun # 1 Background

Battery 131 Gun #1 Firing

Battery 131 History

Battery 131 was a battery of two, 16", Mark II-M1, Long Range naval guns on M1919M4 Barbette carriages. Each gun position was in a reinforced concrete casemate. The casemates were at either end of an earth covered reinforced concrete support structure. Construction began 30 Oct 1942 and was completed 10 May 1945. The Battery was turned over for service 7 Jun 1945 at a cost of $1,557,500.

The 16" guns could fire one-ton projectiles nearly 28 miles and covered most of the Straight of Juan De Fuga.

Electric torches and dynamite were used to break up the guns in 1948, creating 500 tons of scrap steel worth $30 a ton. The guns originally cost several million dollars apiece.

Battery 131 Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	16" Rifle	68'3.75"	MarkII-M1		51	Midvale	Barbette, M4, #37, Watertown	1945-1948
2	16" Rifle	68'3.75"	MarkII-M1		89	Bethlehem	Barbette, M4, #38, Watertown	1945-1948
Source: Coast Defense Study Group

Current Status

Part of Salt Creek Recreation Area, Camp Hayden Callam County Park. No guns or carriages in place.

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Location: Tongue Point, Camp Hayden, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.165821 Long: -123.704402 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 123'

Sources:

• Andy Rohde website
• Battery 131
• Coastal Defense Study Group

Links:

• Coastal Defense Study Group

Visited:

Battery 131 Picture Gallery

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