Battery 245

Battery 245 (1944-1947) - A World War II reinforced concrete gun battery built at Fort Stevens between 28 Oct 1942 and 31 Aug 1944 at a cost of $248,578. Officially operational 28 Oct 1944. Deactivated in 1947.

Battery 245 History

Armament consisted of two 6", Model T2, 309.9" long rifled guns each mounted in a separate shielded M4 Barbette carriage. Between the two guns was a reinforced concrete bunker housing the ammunition and control mechanisms. The battery was self-contained, with it's own power generator, plotting rooms, magazines, and other facilities. It was also designed to be gas-proof in case of chemical attack.

The 6" guns fired a 105 pound armor-piercing projectile with a range of over 15 miles at a rate of up to 5 rounds per minute. The gun crews were protected by a thick shield around the gun. Only six of these guns remain in the world, two at Fort Columbia in Battery 246, two at Fort Pickens in Battery 234, and two in Argentina.

The guns now mounted at Fort Stevens are 5" Naval guns in a completed turret and are similar to the originals except that the turret is completely enclosed. These guns and turrets were installed by the State of Oregon in 1985. The original guns were dismantled in 1947 when the fort closed down. They were shipped out to Bikini Atoll and participated in the nuclear nesting that took place there.

**Battery 245 Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	6" Rifle	309.9"	T2-M1	27	Watervliet	Barbette M4, #7, Wellman Eng. Co.	1944-1947	See Note 1
2	6" Rifle	309.9"	T2-M1	26	Watervliet	Barbette M4, #8, Wellman Eng. Co.	1944-1947	See Note 1
Source: Coast Defense Study Group Note 1: Guns shipped to Fort Miley, Battery 243, 17 Jul 1947, CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA