Battery Downes

Battery Downes (1907-1946) - Battery Downes is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 3- inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after 1st Lt. Edward Elbert Downes, who served in the 1st U.S. Infantry in the Philippines Operations and died there 23 Jun 1901. Battery construction started in 1904, completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 23 Apr 1907 at a cost of $ 12,000. Deactivated in 1918.

Battery Downes

Battery Downes History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 3" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 pedestal mounts. This is a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines on the lower level. Each gun had it's own magazine located in a central structure between the two guns, a storage area separated the batteries. No powder or shell hoists were provided.

Battery Downes Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		27	Watervliet	Pedestal Mount, M1903, #78, Watertown	1907-1946	See Note 1
2	3" Rifle	170"	M1903		16	Watervliet	Pedestal Mount, M1903, #79, Watertown	1907-1946	See Note 1
Source: RCW Form 1,1 May 1933, 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 74-75, 216 Note 1: Guns and Carriages processed for salvage March 7, 1946 (CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA)

Battery Downes Plan

World War II

Guns and Carriages were declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945 and processed for salvage 7 Mar 1946.

Current Status

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

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

Sources:

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

Links:

• Battery Downes Photo Gallery

Visited: 21 Sept 2009

Battery Downes Picture Gallery

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

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  Battery Downes Gun #1 Emplacement
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  Battery Downes Gun #1 Emplacement Closeup
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  Battery Downes Gun #2 Emplacement
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  Battery Downes Gun #2 Emplacement Closeup
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  Battery Downes Magazines
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  Battery Downes Magazine #1
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  Battery Downes Store Room
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  Battery Downes Magazine #2