Battery Powell (1)
Battery Powell (1) (1899-1943) - Battery James Powell is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Washington. Named after Major James E. Powell who died on 6 Apr 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh during the U.S. Civil War. The Battery was begun in 1899, completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 16 Jun 1902 at a total cost of $81,051.06. The mortars were dismounted in 1942 during World War II.
Battery Powell (1) History
Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Originally built with eight 12" M1890 MI mortars on M1896 MI carriages in a concrete battery with two mortar pits. In 1918 and 1920 respectively the two front mortars were removed from pit A and Pit B leaving the two rear mortars remaining in each pit. The mortars were removed because it proved difficult to load and fire four large mortars simultaneously, there was simply not enough room in the mortar pit for the number of men required. Each of the mortars was capable of firing a seven hundred pound shell nine miles and proved accurate enough to hit a moving practice target seven miles away in 1913. The four remaining mortars were removed in 1942, during World War II.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 16 | Niles | Mortar M1896MI, 251, Rarig | 1902-1942 | See Note 1 | |
| A-2 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 1 | Niles | Mortar M1896MI, 250, Rarig | 1902-1918 | See Note2 | |
| A-3 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 52 | Builders | Mortar M1896MI, 248, Rarig | 1902-1942 | See Note 1 Changed to A-2 | |
| A-4 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 15 | Niles | Mortar M1896MI, 249, Rarig | 1902-1918 | See Note2 | |
| B-1 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 27 | Builders | Mortar M1896MI, 247, Rarig | 1902-1942 | See Note 1 | |
| B-2 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 105 | Watervliet | Mortar M1896MI, 246, Rarig | 1902-1918 | See Note2 | |
| B-3 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 22 | Niles | Mortar M1896MI, 245, Rarig | 1902-1942 | See Note 1 Changed to B-2 | |
| B-4 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 20 | Niles | Mortar M1896MI, 244, Rarig | 1902-1918 | See Note2 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, Sep 1927, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 140-145 Note 1: Guns and Carriages Ordered Salvaged 25 Oct 1942, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Note 2: Guns Sent from Fort Worden to Morgan 24 May 1918, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
Current Status
Part of the Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. 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: Artillery Hill, Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.139502 Long: -122.769953 |
Sources:
- Seacoast Defense Photos
- Fort Worden Guide, The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, 2005, page 20-21
Links:
Visited: 19 Jul 2008
Battery Powell (1) Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
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Battery Powell Pit B Fire Control Booth -
Battery Powell Pit B Left Side
