Battery Murphy (1)

Battery Murphy (1) (1900-1945) - Battery Murphy was constructed at Fort Columbia between April of 1899 and June of 1900. The battery was transfered for service on June 29, 1900 for a total cost of $58,623.82. Battery Murphy is named after Captain William C. Murphy, who was killed in the Philippines 14 Aug 1900 during the Spanish-American War.

Battery Murphy (1) History

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia.

Battery Murphy was the longest active Endicott Period battery at Fort Columbia, providing 45 years of continuous active military service in the Harbor Defense Project. The battery was in three wars before finally being deactivated on 24 Aug 1945. The battery was armed with two 6-inch disappearing rifles. Though the guns never fired in anger during combat, it fired thousand of shells in practice drills throughout its service.

**Battery Murphy Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates
1	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI	15	Watervliet	Disappearing Carriage, M1898, #9, Watervliet	1900-1945
2	6" Rifle	277.85"	M1897MI	24	Watervliet	Disappearing Carriage, M1898, #10, Watervliet	1900-1945
Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Jun 1921, CDSG

Current Status

The battery is in excellent shape and open to the public. There is a project to restore the Hodges shell hoists and wiring the battery with lights, though none of these projects seem to be started yet. No period guns or carriages are in place.

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Location: Fort Columbia, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 46.251685 Long: -123.921238