Battery Wilhelm: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:53, 10 July 2009

Battery Wilhelm (1902-1942) - Battery Wilhelm was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 12 inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. The battery was named 14 Feb 1902 after Capt. William Herman Wilhelm, 21st U.S. Infantry who was killed in 1901 while fighting Philippine insurgents. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 17 Aug 1902 at a cost of $71,190.68. Deactivated in 1942.

Battery Wilhelm History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

Endicott Period

Originally constructed between 1897 and 1899 and armed with two M1888MII 12" coastal artillery guns mounted on M1891 Altered Lift Carriages. These carriages were unique in that only three were built and placed in service.

In 1914 the telephone switchboard and batteries were removed from the plotting room building behind the Battery Wilhelm and placed underground in Battery Wilhelm for greater protection. The plotting room building was subsequently modified to provide a dormitory room for telephone operators and work space for artillery engineering.

**Battery Wilhelm Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	12" Rifle	440"	M1888MII	35	Watervliet	Altered Gun Lift Barbette, M1897, #2, Watertown	1902-1942	See Note 1 & 2
2	12" Rifle	440"	M1888MII	25	Watervliet	Altered Gun Lift Barbette, M1897, #1, Watertown	1902-1942	See Note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Aug 1921, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 146, 216 Note 1: Both guns and carriages ordered salvaged 24 Oct 1942 CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Carriage card shows carriage #3 installed, Form 1 shows #2 installed

World War I

Current Status

A Washington State Park. No gun or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Flagler, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 48.102158 Long: -122.694304

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: 132.87'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

References:

Visited: 18 Jun 2009, 19 Jul 2008

Battery Wilhelm Picture Gallery

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

Battery Wilhelm BC Station
Battery Wilhelm Plotting Room Bldg.
Battery Wilhelm Observation Post
Battery Wilhelm Shell Hoist Above
Battery Wilhelm, Hoist Mechanism Below
Battery Wilhelm, Gun Emplacement #1
Battery Electrical Power House

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-'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1902-1942) - Battery Wilhelm was a reinforced concrete [[Endicott Period]] 12 inch gun battery on [[Fort Flagler]], Washington.  The battery was named after Capt. [[William Wilhelm]], [[21st U.S. Infantry]] who was killed in 1901 while fighting Philippine insurgents. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 17 Aug 1902 at a cost of $71,190.68. Deactivated in 1942.
+'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (1902-1942) - Battery Wilhelm was a reinforced concrete [[Endicott Period]] 12 inch gun battery on [[Fort Flagler]], Washington.  The battery was named 14 Feb 1902 after Capt. [[William Herman Wilhelm]], [[21st U.S. Infantry]] who was killed in 1901 while fighting Philippine insurgents. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 17 Aug 1902 at a cost of $71,190.68. Deactivated in 1942.
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 [[Image:Fort Flagler Battery Wilhelm Emp2 - 2.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Battery Wilhelm, Gun Emplacement #2]]
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 == [[Endicott Period]] ==
-Originally constructed between 1897 and 1899 and armed with two M1888MII 12" coastal artillery guns mounted on M1897 Altered Lift Carriages. These carriages were unique in that only three were built and placed in service.
+Originally constructed between 1897 and 1899 and armed with two M1888MII 12" coastal artillery guns mounted on M1891 Altered Lift Carriages. These carriages were unique in that only three were built and placed in service.
+In 1914 the telephone switchboard and batteries were removed from the plotting room building behind the Battery Wilhelm and placed underground in Battery Wilhelm for greater protection. The plotting room building was subsequently modified to provide a dormitory room for telephone operators and work space for artillery engineering.
 {{Clr}}
 {{FtFlaglerBatteryWilhelm}}