Battery Bankhead

(Did you mean a different Battery Bankhead)

Battery Bankhead (1902-1942) - Battery Henry Bankhead is a concrete Endicott Period 12" mortar battery located on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. MG Henry Bankhead, U.S. Army (Maj., 4th U.S. Cavalry), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 9 Jan 1894. The Battery was begun in Oct 1900, completed in Jun 1902, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 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.

Fort Flagler Battery Bankhead Mortar Pit B From Above
Fort Flagler Battery Bankhead Mortar Pit A From Above
Fort Flagler, Battery Bankhead Panorama
Battery Bankhead Model
Battery Bankhead Pit A
Battery Bankhead Pit B

History

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound.

Endicott Period

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.

**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

World War I

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. 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.

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.