Battery Grattan

Battery Grattan (1907-1918)(1942-1945) - Battery Grattan is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 6 inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. 2nd Lt. John Lawrence Grattan, 6th U.S. Infantry, who served in the American Frontier at Fort Laramie, and was killed 19 Aug 1854 in what became known as the “Grattan Massacre”. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 23 Apr 1907 at a cost of $ 48,000. Deactivated in 1918.

Battery Grattan

Battery Grattan History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages. This is a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines in an earth covered structure on the lower level between the two guns. The common magazine consists of a shell room and a powder room that serve both gun positions. No shell or powder hoists provided. Electrical power was provided from the central power plant and commercial power.

Battery Grattan Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		68	Watervliet	Disappearing LF, M1903, #73, Detrick & Harvey	1907-1917	See Note 1
2	6" Rifle	302.9"	M1903		69	Watervliet	Disappearing LF, M1903, #45, Rarig	1907-1917	See Note 1
Source: 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 98-99, 216 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917, carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Lee Plan

World War I

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns tubes of Battery Grattan were transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917 for modification and shipment overseas. Both guns tubes made it to France just as the war ended and were later returned to the U.S. but not to Battery Grattan. The disappearing carriages were ordered scrapped in place 26 May 1920.

World War II

Battery transferred to U.S. Navy on 1 Sept. 1942 for Underwater Listening Post. North entrance was closed off and converted to latrine and storage.

Current Status

Part of the Fort Flagler State Park. The Battery is accessible to the public and the rooms are clean and dry. A few cabinet fixtures remain and walls still lined with sound-deadening material. No guns or carriages are in place.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Fort Flagler, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.099912 Long: -122.692245 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 113.41'

Sources:

• Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

• Battery Grattan Photo Gallery

Visited: 21 Sept 2009

Battery Grattan Picture Gallery

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

• 
  Battery Grattan Shell Room