Battery Guenther
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Battery Guenther (1917-1942) - A concrete Endicott Period mortar battery built at Fort Canby between Jun 1918 and May 1922 and transferred for service 30 Jun 1922. Battery Guenther was named for Brig. Gen. Francis L. Guenther a U.S. Civil War veteran who died 5 Dec 1918. The Battery was deactivated in 1942.
Battery Guenther History
A concrete Endicott Period mortar battery protecting the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean approaches. Originally armed with four, 12" M1890MI mortars on A.R.F., M1896MI Carriages, two in each of two mortar pits. Each pair of mortars required about 30 men to operate. All four of the mortars at Battery Guenther were moved from Battery Clark at Fort Stevens and a 6" gun was moved from Battery Harvey Allen at Fort Canby.
The each of the mortars at Battery Guenther were test fired twice in Apr 1922 with shot weighing 1,046 pounds each. The battery was the last seacoast mortar battery built in the United States.
Battery Guenther was deactivated in 1942. The mortars and carriages were salvaged in 1943.
| No. | Caliber | Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | M1890MI | 29 | Builders Industrial Foundry | Mortar A.R.F., M1896MI, #124, Am. Hoist & D. Co. | 1921-1942 | From Battery Clark |
| A-2 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | M1890MI | 35 | Builders Industrial Foundry | Mortar A.R.F., M1896MI, #123, Am. Hoist & D. Co. | 1921-1942 | From Battery Clark |
| B-1 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | M1890MI | 48 | Watervliet | Mortar A.R.F., M1896MI, #119, Am. Hoist & D. Co. | 1921-1942 | From Battery Clark |
| B-2 | 12" Mortar | 129.25" | M1890MI | 34 | Watervliet | Mortar A.R.F., M1896MI, #120, Am. Hoist & D. Co. | 1921-1942 | From Battery Clark |
| Source: Coastal Defense Study Group | ||||||||
Current Status
Battery Guenther is located on Fort Canby State Park on the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard Station and not open to the public.
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Location: Battery located at Fort Canby but on the property of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Maps & Images Lat: 46.28093 Long: -124.054667
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Battery Guenther Picture Gallery
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