Battery Smur

Battery Smur (1900-1920) - Battery Smur was built at Fort Stevens between Aug 1899 and Apr 1900 at a cost of $11,954.57 and was transfered for service 28 Jun 1900. On 27 Dec 1904 the battery was named after 3rd Lt. Elias P. Smur who died of wounds received at the Battle of Lyons's Creek, 19 Oct 1814 during the War of 1812. Deactivate in 1920.

Exterior view of Battery Smur 18 May 2008

Gun Mount position on Battery Smur, 18 May 2008

Battery Smur History

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia.

A concrete Endicott Period battery facing the Columbia River. Built in 1900 to protect mine operations in the Columbia River with two rapid fire 3 inch guns. Deactivate in 1920 with the guns removed and scrapped.

The rooms on the lower level were used for a plotting room and magazines for the battery. It was used as a mine fuse magazine during World War II.

Battery Smur Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		30	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #30, Driggs-Seabury	1900-1920
2	3" Rifle	154.5"	M1898MI		35	Driggs-Seabury	Masking Parapet, M1898, #35, Driggs-Seabury	1900-1920
Source: CDSG

Battery Smur Plan

Current Status

Battery is intact and accessible to the public but is located a bit off the beaten path. No guns or carriages are in place.

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Location: Fort Stevens, Oregon Maps & Images Lat: 46.206407 Long: -123.958853 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 25'

Sources:

• Coastal Defense Study Group
• Hanft, Marshall, Fort Stevens: Oregon's defender at the river of the West, Your Town Press, 1980, page 158-161

Links: Visited: 18 May 2008

Battery Smur Picture Gallery

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

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  Battery Smur Field of Fire, 18 May 2008
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  Battery Smur Interior, 18 May 2008