Battery Bankhead
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Battery Bankhead (1902-1942) - Battery Henry Bankhead is a concrete Endicott Period 12" mortar battery located on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named after Henry Bankhead. The Battery was begun in Oct 1900, completed in Jun 1902 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 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.
Battery Bankhead History
Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. 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. 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.
| No. | Caliber | Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 114 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #269, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1942 | |
| A-2 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 77 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #270, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| A-3 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 90 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #272, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1942 | Became Gun #2 in pit A |
| A-4 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 133 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #271, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| B-1 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 134 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #273, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1942 | |
| B-2 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 67 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #274, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| B-3 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 137 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #276, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1942 | Became Gun #2 in pit B |
| B-4 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | 1890MI | 128 | Watervliet | Mortar, M1896MI, #275, Rarig Engr. Co. | 1902-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| Source: Coastal Defense Study Group | ||||||||
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.
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Location: Fort Flagler, Marrowstone Point, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.093001 Long: -122.706149
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Sources:
Links:
Visited: 19 Jul 2008
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