Battery Stoddard

Battery Stoddard (1903-1917) - Battery Amos Stoddard is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Maj. Amos Stoddard, 1st U.S. Artillery, who died 11 May 1813, of wounds received at Fort Meigs, 28 Apr 1813, during the War of 1812. The Battery was begun in Jul 1903, completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 21 May 1907 at a total cost of $91,000. The guns were removed in 1917 during World War I.

Battery Stoddard History

Battery Amos Stoddard was built with four 6" M1903 guns mounted on disappearing L.F., M1903 carriages. These guns could fire a 108 pound shell seven miles.

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. All the Battery Stoddard guns were removed 31 Dec 1917 and sent to Watervliet in preparation for overseas shipment.

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound.

**Battery Stoddard Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	300"	M1903	17	Watervliet	Disappearing L.F., M1903, #43, Wellman	1907-1917	See Note 1
2	6" Rifle	300"	M1903	19	Watervliet	Disappearing L.F., M1903, #44, Wellman	1907-1917	See Note 1
3	6" Rifle	300"	M1903	45	Watervliet	Disappearing L.F., M1903, #89, Wellman	1907-1917	See Note 1
4	6" Rifle	300"	M1903	61	Watervliet	Disappearing L.F., M1903, #90, Wellman	1907-1917	See Note 1
Source: RCW Form 1 1921, RCB 31 Dec 1909, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 98-99, 217 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917, carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA

Current Status

Part of the Fort Worden State Park Conference Center. The Battery is accessible to the public but most of the rooms are locked or welded shut. No guns or carriages are in place.

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Location: Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 48.13676 Long: -122.763752

Multi Maps from ACME
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Maps from Google
Elevation: 113'

Sources:

Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
Fort Worden Guide, The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, 2005, page 19
Seacoast Defense Photos

Links:

Visited: 19 Jul 2008