Battery Ord
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Battery Ord (1898-1917) - Battery Ord was constructed at Fort Columbia between December of 1896 and July of 1898. The battery was transferred for service on July 16, 1898 for a total cost of $137,298.79. The Battery is named after Lt. Jules G. Ord, who was killed in action at San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War on December 27, 1904.
Battery Ord History
Part of the Harbor Defense of the Columbia.
Battery Ord was the first active Endicott Period battery emplacement in Fort Columbia. This battery is unusual in that it was actually two separate emplacements. The main battery was armed with two 8-inch disappearing rifles and the other emplacement was armed with a single 8-inch disappearing rifle. Originally, The third separate gun emplacement was named Battery Neary but at some time the name was dropped and became part of Battery Ord. In 1910 the third gun emplacement was condemned due to drainage problems and was filled with earth. Later on the third rifle emplacement magazine room and corridor was remodeled and used as a switchboard room. The guns for the main battery were ordered dismounted on 24 Aug 1917 and shipped to France later in the year. They were put on railroad cars to help bolster the allied defense during World War I and were never replaced. The gun carriages were sold and removed by 1920.
| Empl. No. | Caliber Type | Barrel Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8" Rifle | 278.5" | M1888MI | 20 | Watervliet | Disappearing Carriage L.F., M1896, #1, Pond | 1898-1917 | Rounds fired: 68 |
| 2 | 8" Rifle | 278.5" | M1888MI | 23 | Watervliet | Disappearing Carriage L.F., M1896, #10, Pond | 1898-1917 | Rounds fired: 81 |
| 3 | 8" Rifle | 278.5" | M1888MII | 44 | Watervliet | Disappearing Carriage L.F., M1896, #32, Lake | 1898-1910? | Rounds fired: ? |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 30 Sep 1926 | ||||||||
Current Status
The battery is in fair condition and open to the public. However, the main emplacement is partially closed due to safety and deterioration issues of some areas of the battery. There is no access to the buried third gun emplacement. No period guns or carriages in place.
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Location: Fort Columbia, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 46.25282 Long: -123.920696
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Sources:
- Coastal Defense Study Group Battery Ord
- Coastal Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
- Information displays at the battery
Links:
Visited: 22 Mar 2008, 18 May 2008, 27 Aug 2005
Battery Ord Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
 View of Battery Ord |
 Western look-down view of Battery Ord |
 Eastern side of Battery Ord |
 Western side of Battery Ord |
 Fire Control Station (Front) |
 First gun emplacement shot room |
 Main Corridor |
 Main Corridor |
 Shell Room |
 Second Gun Emplacement Corridor |
 Latrine |
 Second gun emplacement shot room |
 Guard Room |
 Guard Room window |
 First gun emplacement access |
 First gun emplacement |
 Second gun emplacement access |
 Second gun emplacement |
 Third gun emplacement entrance |
 Third gun emplacement |
 Third gun emplacement |
 Third gun emplacement |
