Battery 131
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Battery 131 (1945-194?) - A World War II era reinforced concrete Coastal Artillery Battery built in 1943-1945 on Camp Hayden, Washington. Guns were scrapped and removed about 1948 but the concrete Battery support structure remains.
Battery 131 History
Battery 131 was a battery of two, 16", Mark II-M1, Long Range naval guns on M1919M4 Barbette carriages. Each gun position was in a reinforced concrete casemate. The casemates were at either end of an earth covered reinforced concrete support structure. Construction began 30 Oct 1942 and was completed 10 May 1945. The Battery was turned over for service 7 Jun 1945 at a cost of $1,557,500.
The 16" guns could fire one-ton projectiles nearly 28 miles and covered most of the Straight of Juan De Fuga.
Electric torches and dynamite were used to break up the guns in 1948, creating 500 tons of scrap steel worth $30 a ton. The guns originally cost several million dollars apiece.
| No. | Caliber | Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16" | 68'3.75" | Mark II-M1 | 51 | Midvale Steel & Ordnance | Barbette, M4, #37, Watertown | 1945-1948 | |
| 2 | 16" | 68'3.75" | Mark II-M1 | 89 | Bethlehem Steel Co. | Barbette, M4, #38, Watertown | 1945-1948 | |
| Source: Coastal Defense Study Group | ||||||||
Current Status
Part of Salt Creek Recreation Area, Camp Hayden Callam County Park. No guns or carriages in place.
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Location: Tongue Point, Camp Hayden, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.165821 Long: -123.704402
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Battery 131 Picture Gallery
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