Battery Calwell

Battery Calwell (1907-1917) - Battery James Calwell is a reinforced concrete Endicott Period 6 inch gun battery on Fort Flagler, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. James H. Calwell, Virginia Volunteers, who died in in the Mexican-American War, on 18 Sep 1847. Battery construction started in 1903 was completed in 1905 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 23 Apr 1907 at a cost of $ 89,500. Deactivated in 1917. Battery Calwell Gun Emplacements #1 & 2 Battery Calwell Gun Emplacements #3 & 4 Battery Calwell Endicott Period Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with four 6" M1903 guns mounted on M1903 disappearing carriages. This is a one story gun battery with two magazines, each serving two guns and a central multi purpose structure. Each gun and carriage sat on a raised loading platform. Shell carts were used to move the shells from the magazine to the loading platform stairs and the shells were hand carried to the loading platform. A separate powder passage was used to bring the powder from the magazine's powder room to the loading platform. No shell or powder hoists were needed or provided. Battery Calwell Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 48 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #53, Detrick & Harvey 1907-1917 See Note 1 2 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 60 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #54, Detrick & Harvey 1907-1917 See Note 1 1 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 65 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #55, Detrick & Harvey 1907-1917 See Note 1 2 6" Rifle 302.9" M1903 70 Watervliet Disappearing L.F., M1903, #72, Detrick & Harvey 1907-1917 See Note 1 Source: Coast Defense Study Group Note 1:Guns transferred to Watervliet 31 Dec 1917, carriages scrapped 26 May 1920. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Calwell Plan World War I The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The Guns from Battery Calwell were transferred back to Watervliet, on 31 Dec 1917, reconfigured for mobile mounts, and sent to France in 1918. The guns were returned to the U.S. in 1919 and stored until 1942 when they were sent to Los Angeles Harbor Defense. Battery Calwell was not rearmed after World War I. 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 but empty. No guns or carriages are in place. {"selectable":false,"height":"-500","width":"-500"} Location: Fort Flagler State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 48.100524 Long: -122.704397 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google GPS Locations: 48.100524, -122.704397 Battery Calwell Sources: Coast Defense Study Group, Press, Digital Library, Forums Links: Battery Calwell Photo Gallery Fortification ID: WA0036 - Battery Calwell Visited: 28 Sept 2009