Battery Powell
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Battery Powell (1899-1943) - Battery James Powell is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Washington. Named after Major James E. Powell who died on 6 Apr 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh during the U.S. Civil War. The Battery was begun in 1899, completed in 1901 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 16 Jun 1902 at a total cost of $81,051.06. The mortars were dismounted in 1942 during World War II.
Battery Powell History
Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Originally built with 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 and proved accurate enough to hit a moving practice target seven miles away in 1913.
In May 1918 two mortars were removed from each pit leaving two mortars remaining in each pit. The mortars were removed because it proved difficult to load and fire four large mortars simultaneously and there was a requirement for mortars in the World War I European theater. Even with the removal of two mortars from each pit the rate of fire did not significantly drop.
The mortars were prepared for shipment and transported on U.S. Barge #5 towed by the U.S. Steamer Wilson to Seattle with the intent of shipping them to the war zone in Europe. This shipment arrived in Seattle on 30 May 1918 with sixteen 12" mortars, two mortars from each mortar pit of the following batteries:
- Battery Brannan, Fort Worden, 4 Total
- Battery Powell, Fort Worden, 4 Total
- Battery Seymour, Fort Casey, 4 Total
- Battery Bankhead, Fort Flagler, 4 Total
The four remaining mortars were removed in 1942, during World War II.
| No. | Caliber | Length | Model | Serial No. | Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 16 | Niles Tool Works | Mortar 1896MI, 251, Barig. Engr. Co. | 1901-1942 | |
| A-2 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | ? | ? | Mortar 1896MI, | 1901-1918 | Removed 1818 |
| A-3 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 52 | Builders Iron Foundry | Mortar 1896MI, 248, Barig. Engr. Co. | 1901-1942 | Changed to A-2 |
| A-4 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | ? | ? | Mortar 1896MI, | 1901-1918 | Removed 1818 |
| B-1 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 27 | Builders Iron Foundry | Mortar 1896MI, 247, Barig. Engr. Co. | 1901-1942 | |
| B-2 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | ? | ? | Mortar 1896MI, | 1901-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| B-3 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | 20 | Niles Tool Works | Mortar 1896MI, 244, Barig. Engr. Co. | 1901-1942 | Changed to B-2 |
| B-4 | 12" Mortar | 141.125" | M1890MI | ? | ? | Mortar 1896MI, | 1901-1918 | Removed 1918 |
| Source: RCW Form 1 Nov 1925 | ||||||||
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. No guns or carriages are in place.
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Location: Artillery Hill, Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, Port Townsend, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.139502 Long: -122.769953
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Sources:
- Seacoast Defense Photos
- Fort Worden Guide, The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, 2005, page 20-21
- Coastal Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums
Links:
Visited: 19 Jul 2008
Battery Powell Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
 Battery Powell Pit B Fire Control Booth |
 Battery Powell Pit B Left Side |
