Battery Vicars

 (1902-1917) - Battery Thomas Vicars is a concrete Endicott Period battery located on Fort Worden, Jefferson County, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after 1st Lt. Thomas Allen Vicars, 27th U.S. Infantry, who was killed in the Philippine campaign against the Moros 2 May 1902. Construction began in 1900, was completed in 1901, and was transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 16 Jun 1902. Both guns were removed in 1917.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound.

Built with two 5" M1897 rapid-fire guns on M1896 balanced pillar mounts in a concrete battery at a cost of $11,000. The battery is a relatively small one with five rooms below the gun mounts. Each gun position has a magazine and a storeroom and shares a common latrine.



World War I (1917-1918)
Both of Battery Vicars guns were removed 31 Dec 1917 for use overseas in World War I and both mounts were scrapped in 1920. Both gun tubes from Battery Vicars actually made it to France in 1918 and both were returned to the U.S. in 1919 after the end of World War I.

Battery Vicars was not rearmed after World War I.

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.

The 1982 movie, "An Officer and a Gentleman", starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger and Lou Gossett was filmed on location at Fort Worden and Battery Vicars was featured in one scene.

Sources:

Links: 
 * Excellent pictures and description
 * Battery Vicars Virtual Tour