Battery Walker (2)
Battery Walker (2) (1907-1946) - Battery Samuel Walker is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Jefferson County, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, for Ltc. Samuel H. Walker, Mounted Rangers (Captain Mounted Riflemen), of Walker-Colt revolver fame, who was killed in Huamantia, Mexico, 9 Oct 1847. The Battery was begun in Jun 1903, completed in 1906 and transfered to the Coastal Artillery for use 21 May 1907 at a total cost of $12,000. The guns and mounts were removed about 1946 after the close of World War II.
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Endicott Period (1890-1910)
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.
Built with two 3" rapid fire M1903 guns on M1903 pedestal mounts in a concrete battery at a cost of $12,000. The battery is a relatively small one with three rooms between the gun mounts. Each gun position has a magazine with a common store room between them.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1903 | 84 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #77, Watertown | 21 May 1907-1946 | See Note 1 | |
| 2 | 3" Rifle | 154.5" | M1903 | 10 | Watervliet | Pedestal, M1903, #76, Watertown | 21 May 1907-1946 | See Note 1 | |
| Source: 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 74-75, 217 Note 1: Guns and carriages declared obsolete 18 Oct 1945 and were processed for salvaging 7 Mar 1946. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I (1917-1918)
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. The guns of Battery Walker were not slated for service overseas during World War I.
World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Walker remained armed throughout World War II but the guns were declared obsolete on 18 Oct 1945 and processed for salvage 7 Mar 1946.
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. The door to magazine #1 is normally locked. No guns or carriages are in place.
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Location: Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.142537 Long: -122.775087 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Puget Sound, (CCA-AN-PS), 12 Aug 1945, CDSG
Links:
Visited: 19 Jul 2008
Battery Walker (2) 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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Gun # 2 Emplacement -
Gun #2 Magazine -
Battery Walker Storeroom -
View from the Battery
