Battery Vicars

Battery Vicars (1902-1918) - Battery Thomas Vicars is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Washington. It was begun in 1900 and transfered to the Coastal Artillery for use 16 Jun 1902. The guns and mounts were removed 1917-18 for use in World War I.

Battery Vicars

Mount Position Gun #2

Battery Vicars History

Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Built with two 5" rapid fire guns on balanced pillar mounts in a concrete battery at a cost of $11,000. The battery is a relatively small one with five rooms below the gun mounts. Each gun position has a magazine and a store room and a shared latrine.

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

Battery Vicars Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	5" Rifle	225"	M1897		22	Bethlehem	Balanced Pillar Mount, M1896, #20, Bethlehem	1902-1917	See Note 1 Carriage arrived 29 Dec 1900
2	5" Rifle	225"	M1897		9	Bethlehem	Balanced Pillar Mount, M1896, #9 Bethlehem	1902-1917	See Note 1 Carriage arrived 24 Jan 1901
Source: Coast Defense Study Group, RCW Form 1, Apr 1932, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 88, 217 Note 1: Both guns sent to Morgan 31 Dec 1917. Both carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Vicars Plan

Current Status

Part of the Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. The Battery is accessible to the public and the rooms are clean and dry but empty. No guns or carriages are in place.

The 1982 movie, "An Officer and a Gentleman", starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger and Lou Gossett was filmed on location at Fort Worden and Battery Vicars was featured in one scene.

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Location: Point Wilson on Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. Maps & Images Lat: 48.142459 Long: -122.759643 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 42'

Sources:

• Excellent pictures and description
• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

Visited: 19 Jul 2008

Battery Vicars Picture Gallery

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

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  Battery Vicars Gun position #1
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  Battery Vicars Gun position #1 Magazine Door
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  Battery Vicars Gun position #2 Magazine Door
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  Battery Vicars Gun position #2
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  Battery Vicars Magazine Entrances