Battery Harrison (2)

Battery Harrison (2) (1911-1939) - Battery Harrison was a reinforced concrete, Taft Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Whitman, Washington. The battery was named in G.O. 245, 13 Dec 1909. Battery construction started in 1909, was completed in 1911 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 9 May 1911. at a cost of $ 92,000. Deactivated in 1939.

Battery Harrison Gun Emplacement #4	Battery Harrison Center Section Plotting Room
Battery Harrison Magazine with Observation Post on Top

Battery Harrison (2) History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

Endicott Period

Originally built as an Taft Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 6" wire wrapped M1908 guns mounted on M1905MI disappearing carriages. This is a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines and service rooms located on the lower level. A common magazine is provided between emplacements 1 and 2 and between emplacements 3 and 4. Each magazine has common powder room and a common shell room. No shell or powder hoists were provided. A central facility housed the plotting room and a storeroom

Electrical power was originally furnished by a gasoline driven 25 KW motor-generator set in the power room between emplacements #1 and #2, it was transferred 9 May 1911 at a cost of $ 430.28. A second motor-generator set was added in 1920, accepted 26 Jan 1920. A separate concrete building for the latrine located across the road between emplacements #1 and #2, accepted 9 May 1911 at a cost of $ 1,055. Two rooms in emplacement #2 used as mine casemates.

Battery Harrison Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	277"	M1908		1	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905MI, #14, Watertown	1911-1937	See note 1
2	6" Rifle	277"	M1908		2	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905MI, #15, Watertown	1911-1937	See note 1
3	6" Rifle	277"	M1908		3	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905MI, #16, Watertown	1911-1937	See note 1
4	6" Rifle	277"	M1908		4	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1905MI, #17, Watertown	1911-1937	See note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Mar 1923, 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 100-101, 216 Note 1: The guns transferred to Watervliet 22 Feb 1944, carriages were salvaged 20 Sep 1943. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Battery Harrison Plan

World War II

On 29 Dec 1939 all four guns were declared as "no longer required" and ordered dismounted and stored at Fort Worden. On 19 Sep 1941 two guns were removed temporarily from the "no longer required" status. The four M1905MI disappearing carriages were salvaged on 20 Sep 1943 and the four M1908 guns were transferred to Watervliet 22 Feb 1944 and salvaged by them 17 Oct 1945.

Current Status

No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Whitman, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.3647215 Long: -122.5347877 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 98.98'

Sources:

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

Links:

Visited: 14 Apr 2010

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