Fort Flagler
Fort Flagler (1897-1953) - An Endicott Period coastal fort established in 1897, activated on 27 Jul 1899 and named after Brig. Gen. Daniel Webster Flagler. The fort was closed 7 Jun 1953.
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History of Fort Flagler
Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.
Fort Flagler, along with Fort Worden and Fort Casey, guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. These posts, established in the late 1890's, became the first line of a fortification system designed to prevent a hostile fleet from reaching the Bremerton Naval Yard and the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.
Endicott Period
Fort Flagler was originally constructed with three coastal gun batteries, Battery Revere, Battery Wilhelm and Battery Rawlins. The contract for the construction of these original gun batteries was awarded 22 Jun 1897, to the Pacific Bridge Company, Portland, Oregon. The batteries were completed in 1899 but not accepted for service until 17 Aug 1902. Two additional batteries, Battery Bankhead and Battery Lee were completed in 1900 and 1902 respectively and they were also accepted for service on 17 Aug 1902.
Initial construction of barracks and support facilities (12 buildings total) was complete in June 1899 and the Post was activated 27 Jul 1899. The first garrison was a detachment of 86 Enlisted men and three Officers from Battery B, 3rd U.S. Coastal Artillery, commanded by Capt. John D.C. Hoskins. Fort Flagler was made Headquarters of the Harbor Defense Command of Puget Sound because Fort Worden did not yet have permanent facilities complete. On 4 Sep 1904 the headquarters of the Harbor Defense Command of Puget Sound was transferred from Fort Flagler to Fort Worden.
Four additional batteries, Battery Grattan, Battery Calwell, Battery Downes and Battery Wansboro were completed in 1905-1906 and all were accepted for service on 23 Apr 1907.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Bankhead | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1900-1902-1902-1942 | $ 89,584 | 4 Mortars removed in 1918 |
| Battery Wilhelm | 2 | 12" | Altered Gun Lift | 1897-1899-1902-1942 | $ 71,191 | Named for Capt. William H. Wilhelm (Cullum 3272). |
| Battery Rawlins | 2 | 10" | Barbette | 1897-1899-1902-1918 | $ 60,000 | |
| Battery Revere | 2 | 10" | Barbette | 1897-1899-1902-1941 | $ 60,000 | Guns to Canada |
| Battery Calwell | 4 | 6" | Disappearing | 1903-1905-1907-1917 | $ 89,500 | Guns to France |
| Battery Grattan | 2 | 6" | Disappearing | 1904-1906-1907-1917 | $ 48,000 | Guns to France |
| Battery Lee | 2 | 5" | Balanced Pillar Mount | 1899-1900-1902-1918 | $ 15,500 | Named for Lt. Walter H. Lee (Cullum 3998). Guns to Grays Harbor |
| Battery Downes | 2 | 3" | Pedestal Mount | 1904-1906-1907-1946 | $ 12,000 | |
| Battery Wansboro | 2 | 3" | Pedestal Mount | 1903-1905-1907-1946 | $ 14,000 | Guns Replaced in 1960 |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War I
During World War I 8 of the fort's guns were sent to Europe and converted to field or railway guns and 2 were sent to Canada.
After World War I Fort Flagler was used as a ROTC training center.
World War II
During World War II and the Korean War the fort was used for training in amphibious warfare.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery AMTB - Marrowstone Point | 2 2 |
90mm 90mm |
Fixed Pedestal Mounts Mobile Mounts |
1943-1943-1944-1946 | $ 8,842 | |
| Battery Rawlins | 3 | 3" | AA | 1942-1943-1944-1946 | $ 11,000 | |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Cold War
At the end of the Korean War Fort Flagler was deactivated, 7 Jun 1953.
Current Status
The property was purchased as a state park in 1955. Period guns and carriages installed in Battery Wansboro.
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Location: Marrowstone Point, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.09767 Long: -122.69647 |
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 184
- 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 832
- Washington State History Link
- Coastal Defense Study Group
Links:
Visited: 18 Jun 2009, 19 Jul 2008
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