Battery Rawlins

 (1902-1918)(1942-1946) - Battery John Rawlins was a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 10‑inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. The battery was named after Bvt. Maj. Gen John A. Rawlins, U.S. Civil War veteran and Secretary of War. Battery construction started in 1897, was completed in 1899 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 17 Aug 1902 at a cost of $ 60,000. Deactivated in 1918. Reactivated in 1942 when a AA battery was relocated into Battery Rawlins, deactivated at the end of World War II.



World War I
Both M1888MII guns were withdrawn in 1918 in anticipation of being shipped to the European front but they were held at the Watervliet Arsenal after being modified to the A1 configuration because it became clear that the war was almost over. Both M1888MIIA1 guns were eventually salvaged (#35 in 1931, #28 in 1942). The M1893 Barbette carriages were both scrapped 26 May 1920.



World War II
In 1942 the decision was made to move Anti-Aircraft Battery #2 (AA #2) from the southern perimeter of Fort Flagler to Battery Rawlins. The AA #2 battery had three M1917M1A2, 3" guns mounted on AA M1917M2 carriages. Among the modifications made to Battery Rawlins to convert it for AA use was a filling in of the two deep 10" gun pits with earth, the addition of a third emplacement in front of the existing two, the modification of the observation post to an AA Director Station and three new concrete emplacements for the AA guns. The new gun emplacement became emplacement #2 and the existing emplacement #2 became emplacement #3.



Current Status
A part of Fort Flagler State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. No guns or mounts in place. No gun or mounts in place.

Sources:

Links:  References: 
 * Battery Rawlins Photo Gallery