Battery Grattan

 (1907-1917)(1942-1945) - Battery Grattan is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 6 inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Bvt. 2nd Lt. John Lawrence Grattan, 6th U.S. Infantry, who served in the American Frontier at Fort Laramie, and was killed 19 Aug 1854 in what became known as the “Grattan Massacre”. Battery construction started in 1904, was completed in 1906 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 23 Apr 1907 at a cost of $ 48,000. Deactivated in 1917.

Endicott Period
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages. This is a two story battery with the guns on the upper level and the magazines in an earth covered structure on the lower level between the two guns. The common magazine consists of a shell room and a powder room that serve both gun positions. No shell or powder hoists provided. Electrical power was provided from the central power plant and commercial power.



World War I
The guns tubes of Battery Grattan were transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917 for modification and shipment overseas. Both guns tubes made it to France just as the war ended and were later returned to the U.S. but not to Battery Grattan. The disappearing carriages were ordered scrapped in place 26 May 1920.

World War II
Battery transferred to U.S. Navy on 1 Sept. 1942 for Underwater Listening Post. North entrance was closed off and converted to latrine and storage.

Current Status
A part of Fort Flagler State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. The Battery is accessible to the public and the rooms are clean and dry. A few cabinet fixtures remain and walls still lined with sound-deadening material. No guns or carriages are in place.

Sources:

Links: 
 * Battery Grattan Photo Gallery