Fort Ward (2)

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Fort Ward (2) (1901-1938, 1942-1958) - Construction began 1 Feb 1900, completed in 1901 on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Washington, Named Fort Ward in G.O. 84, 12 Jun 1903, after Colonel George H. Ward, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Bvt. Brigadier General, U. S. Volunteers, who died, 2 Jul 1863, of wounds, received at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the U.S. Civil War. Abandoned as a coastal defense in 1928 and turned over to U.S. Navy in 1938. Decommissioned by the Navy in 1958.

Fort Ward 1912 Administration Building, Bldg. #2.
Fort Ward 1910 PX & Gym Building, Bldg. #11.
Fort Ward Panorama 1913. L-R Admin Building #2, Post Exchange & Gym #11, Firehouse #14, CAC Barracks #12.
Fort Ward 1912 Quartermaster and Commissary Storehouse, Building #16 (Modified).

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Built to protect the Bremerton Navy Yard and the Rich Passage.

Construction on the first of five concrete gun batteries was begun in 1899 and they were all complete in 1903. The gun batteries were all accepted for service on the same day, 18 Jan 1904, although some of them were not yet armed.

Construction on the fort itself began 1 Feb 1900 but was limited to a few temporary buildings and use was made of several existing farm buildings as Officer and NCO quarters. It appears that the Fort was garrisoned by a detachment until 1910 when serious water and sewer infrastructure were emplaced and quarters for Officers, NCOs and enlisted men were built. Quarters for 4 lieutenants, 6 NCOs, 2 firemen, and 106 enlisted men were built in 1910. A Post Exchange/Gym and a bakery were also built in 1910. In 1911 additional support buildings were added.

In 1912 an Administration Building, Guardhouse, and Quartermaster buildings were added. An electric power plant was installed in a corner of the firehouse.

World War I (1917-1918)

In 1919 a new 12-bed hospital was built to replace the original 5-bed hospital.

The Fort was placed in caretaker status on 26 Jun 1924. Abandoned as a Coastal Artillery Station and withdrawn from the Puget Sound Harbor Defense 1 Mar 1928.

Fort Ward (2) Endicott Period Battery (edit list)
Battery
Click on Battery links below
No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes
Battery Nash 3 8" Disappearing 1899-1903-1904-1917 $ 120,432 On Private Property
Battery Warner 2 5" Pedestal 1900-1903-1904-1925 $ 24,935 On Private Property
Battery Thornburgh 4 3" Masking Pedestal 1900-1903-1904-1920 $ 21,885
Battery Vinton 2 3" Masking Pedestal 1900-1903-1904-1920 $ 10,967 Lower rooms filled in
Battery Mitchell (1) 2 3" Pedestal 1900-1903-1904-NA $ 9,473 On Middle Point MR. Never armed
Source: CDSG
Fort Ward Plan 1921.


Fort Ward Aerial View 28 Jun 1932.

World War II (1941-1945)

In 1938, three years before World War II, the U.S. Navy established a top-secret radio listening post on Fort Ward to eavesdrop on enemy communications in the far east. Antennas were installed on the post and existing buildings were converted into a top-secret listening post-code-named "Station S". "Station S" listened in on Japanese naval Morse Code communications 24 hours a day. This station operated from Aug 1939 to Mar 1953.

Current Status

Fort Ward State Park, Kitsap County, Washington. No period guns or mounts in place. Most of the fort buildings remain, repurposed by civilian owners. The major buildings no longer existing include the C.A.C. barracks and the hospital. Most of the gun batteries can be visited or viewed.

Fort Ward (2) Building List (edit list)
Number Building Year Plan Cost GPS Notes
C-1 Post Hospital 1919 305-C $11,182 47.57896,
-122.51919
01 Pump House 1911 4-975 $893
02 Administration 1912 122-F $11,187 47.58120,
-122.52211
03 Officer's Quarters Duplex Lt 1910 120-K $18,137 47.58233,
-122.52338
Commanding Officer's Quarters
04 Officer's Quarters Duplex Lt 1910 120-K $18,137 47.58273,
-122.52356
05 Q.M. Stable 1912 54-F $4,391 47.57765,
-122.52173
06 Wagon Shed 1912 60-G $2,100 47.5775,
-122.52206
09 Q.M. Workshop 1912 59-P $3,700 47.57786,
-122.52217
10 Oil House 1912 92-B $520
10-A Service Club 1923 unk
11 Post Exchange & Gymnasium 1910 190 $16,584 47.58121,
-122.52108
12 C.A.C. Barracks 1910 146-D $36,360 47.58087,
-122.52042
13 Guard House 1912 30-L $17,360 47.57857,
-122.52213
14 Fire Station & Power House 1912 98-H $2,285 47.58134,
-122.52059
15 Coal Shed 1911 67-J $2,520 47.57806,
-122.5221
16 Q.M. & Commisary Storehouse 1912 91-G $17,110 47.57828,
-122.52203
17 Wharf etc. 1911 $11,500 47.57771,
-122.52559
18 NCO Quarters Duplex 1910 82-L $7,375 47.5786,
-122.51914
19 NCO Quarters Duplex 1910 82-L $7,375 47.57837,
-122.51907
20 NCO Quarters Duplex 1910 82-L $7,375 47.57813,
-122.51901
21 Firemen's Quarters Duplex 1910 230-C $5.891 47.57787,
-122.51895
27 Bakery 1910 217 $8,142 47.57847,
-122.52098
28 Flagstaff 1912 $246 47.58093,
-122.52179
29 Q.M. Corps Detachment Qtrs 1915 $131
30 Picket Guard House 1916 $40
31 NCO Quarters Single Pre-existing farm building

Location: Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Washington

Maps & Images

Lat: 47.58417 Long: -122.52694



GPS Locations:


Sources:

Links:

Fortification ID:

  • WA0319 - Fort Ward (2)

Visited: 18 Apr 2010, 20 Jul 2008

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