Battery Bankhead (1)

Battery Bankhead (1) (1902-1942) - Battery Henry Bankhead is a concrete Endicott Period 12" mortar battery located on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named after Henry Bankhead. The Battery was begun in Oct 1900, completed in Jun 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 17 Aug 1902 at a total cost of $89,584.47. Four mortars were removed in 1918 during World War I and the remaining mortars were dismounted in 1942 during World War II.

Battery Bankhead (1) History

Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Originally built to house eight 12" M1890 MI mortars on M1896 MI carriages in a concrete battery with two mortar pits. Each of the mortars was capable of firing a seven hundred pound shell nine miles. Two mortars (#2 & #4) were removed from each pit in 1918 leaving two mortars in each pit. The remaining mortars in each pit were renumbered 1 and 2.

The 4 removed mortars were loaded on U.S. Barge #5 along with 12 other mortars from Fort Worden and Fort Casey on 29 May 1918 and towed by the United States Steamer Wilson to Seattle for shipment overseas. The mortars arrived in Seattle on 30 May 1918.

**Battery Bankhead Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
A-1	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	114	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #269, Rarig	1902-1942
A-2	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	77	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #270, Rarig	1902-1918	Removed 1918
A-3	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	90	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #272, Rarig	1902-1942	Became Gun #2 in pit A
A-4	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	133	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #271, Rarig	1902-1918	Removed 1918
B-1	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	134	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #273, Rarig	1902-1942
B-2	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	67	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #274, Rarig	1902-1918	Removed 1918
B-3	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	137	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #276, Rarig	1902-1942	Became Gun #2 in pit B
B-4	12" Mortar	129.25"	M1890MI	128	Watervliet	Mortar, M1896MI, #275, Rarig	1902-1918	Removed 1918
Source: Coast Defense Study Group

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, Marrowstone Point, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 48.093001 Long: -122.706149

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Elevation: 119'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums

Links:

Visited: 19 Jul 2008