Battery Murphy (1)

Battery Murphy (1) (1900-1945) - Battery Murphy was constructed at Fort Columbia between April of 1899 and June of 1900. The battery was transfered for service on June 29, 1900 for a total cost of $58,623.82. Battery Murphy is named after Captain William C. Murphy, who was killed at the Philippines on August 14, 1900 during the Spanish-American War.

Battery Murphy 2008

Ammunition Hoist Battery Murphy 2008

Battery Murphy (1) History

Battery Murphy would be the longest active Endicott Period battery at Fort Columbia, providing 45 years of continuous active military service in the Harbor Defense Project. The battery was in three wars before finally being deactivated on August 24th, 1945. The battery was armed with two 6-inch disappearing rifles. Though the guns never fired in anger during combat, it fired thousand of shells in practice drills throughout its service.

Current Status

The battery is in excellent shape and open to the public. There is a project to restore the Hodges shell hoists and wiring the battery with lights, though none of these projects seem to be started yet.

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Location: Fort Columbia, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 46.251685 Long: -123.921238 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 80'

Sources:

• Coastal Defense Study Group

Links:

Visited: 16 Feb 2008, 22 Mar 2008, 27 Aug 2008

Battery Murphy (1) Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!

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  Battery Murphy - Right Side
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  Battery Murphy - Center
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  Battery Murphy - Left Side
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  Shell hoists
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  First Gun Emplacement
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  First Gun Emplacement Stairs
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  First Gun Emplacement Walkway
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  First Gun Emplacement Storage Room
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  Latrine
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  Second Gun Emplacement Walkway
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  Oil Room
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  Central Corridor
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  Second Gun Emplacement Magazine Room
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  Second Gun Emplacement Stairs
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  Second Gun Emplacement
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  Guard Room Door
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  Guard Room
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  Magazine Room
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  Main Storage Room Entrance
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  Main Storage Room
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  Passageway
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  Passageway - First gun emplacement
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  Passageway - Second gun emplacement