Fort Whitman: Difference between revisions
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== [[Endicott Period]] == | == [[Endicott Period]] == | ||
Only one [[Endicott Period]] | The land on Goat Island was purchased by the government on 21 Feb 1908 for $3,000. Construction on Fort Whitman began 10 Feb 1909 with the wharf and tramway constructed first. Only one [[Endicott Period]] gun battery was built along with a separate mine field control and observation post that was 800' southwest of the gun battery. The mine field control and observation post contained a plotting room (15' x 15'), a mine control room (13' x 10'), an observation room (16' x 10') and a range finder room (10' x 10') for [[Battery Harrison (2)]]. Battery Harrison was a single story 6" disappearing gun battery with mounts for 4 guns. The guns were mounted on raised platforms with two magazines between the guns. A central building housed the plotting room and a storeroom. | ||
On 21 Dec 1910 the 4 gun tubes and carriages arrived by barge and were off loaded onto the wharf. One by one the gun tubes and carriages were hauled up the 80' bluff by the steam driven tramway and mounted in the battery. On 21 Feb 1911, [[Battery Harrison]] was transferred for service to the Coast Artillery. | |||
The first garrison of the fort was a four man caretaker detachment headed by Corporal Thad Eastwood who remained as caretaker until the start of World War I in 1917. | |||
{{Clr}} | {{Clr}} | ||
{{FtWhitmanTaft}} | {{FtWhitmanTaft}} | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 20 April 2010
Fort Whitman (1909-1947) - Construction started 1909 and was completed in 1911. Named in G.O. 245, 1909, for Dr. Marcus Whitman, killed in 1847 by hostile Indians. Declared surplus 13 May 1944. Transferred to Washington State in 1947
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Fort Whitman History
Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Positioned to guard the Deception Pass and Saratoga Pass entrances into Puget Sound.
Endicott Period
The land on Goat Island was purchased by the government on 21 Feb 1908 for $3,000. Construction on Fort Whitman began 10 Feb 1909 with the wharf and tramway constructed first. Only one Endicott Period gun battery was built along with a separate mine field control and observation post that was 800' southwest of the gun battery. The mine field control and observation post contained a plotting room (15' x 15'), a mine control room (13' x 10'), an observation room (16' x 10') and a range finder room (10' x 10') for Battery Harrison (2). Battery Harrison was a single story 6" disappearing gun battery with mounts for 4 guns. The guns were mounted on raised platforms with two magazines between the guns. A central building housed the plotting room and a storeroom.
On 21 Dec 1910 the 4 gun tubes and carriages arrived by barge and were off loaded onto the wharf. One by one the gun tubes and carriages were hauled up the 80' bluff by the steam driven tramway and mounted in the battery. On 21 Feb 1911, Battery Harrison was transferred for service to the Coast Artillery.
The first garrison of the fort was a four man caretaker detachment headed by Corporal Thad Eastwood who remained as caretaker until the start of World War I in 1917.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Harrison (2) | 4 | 6" | Disappearing | 1909-1911-1911-1939 | $ 92,000 | |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War II
A 37mm AMTB battery was built in 1942 and remained active until 1944.
Current Status
Goat Island is now part of the Skagit Wildlife Area.
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Location: Goat Island, at the entrance to Puget Sound, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 48.36433 Long: -122.53556 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 838-839
- Coastal Defense Study Group
Links:
Visited: 14 Apr 2010
Fort Whitman Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |