Battery Benson

Battery Benson (1904-1943) - Battery Henry Benson is a concrete Endicott Period Battery located on Fort Worden, Jefferson County, Washington. Named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Capt. Henry Benson, 2nd U.S. Artillery, who died 11 Aug 1862 from wounds received at the 2nd battle of Maven Hill, Virginia, 5 Aug 1862, during the U.S. Civil War. The Battery was begun in 1904, completed in 1907, and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on 24 Apr 1908 at a total cost of $142,500. The guns were dismounted in 1943 during World War II.

Battery Benson View	Battery Benson Gun #1 Position
Battery Benson Gun #2 Firing, 1915 (University of Washington Archive)

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Puget Sound. Designed to protect both the Straight of Juan De Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet to Puget Sound. Built with two 10" M1900 guns on M1901 disappearing carriages in a concrete battery at a cost of $142,500. The 10" guns could fire a six hundred pound shell 9 miles.

**Battery Benson Armament** (edit list)
Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model	Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	10" Rifle	420.6"	M1900	12	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #6	1908-1943	See Note 1
2	10" Rifle	420.6"	M1900	14	Watervliet	Disappearing, M1901, #7	1908-1943	See Note 1
Source: RCW Form 1, Aug 1921, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 128-129, 217 Note 1: Guns and carriages ordered salvaged 7 Jul 1943,

World War II (1941-1945)

The guns and carriages were ordered scrapped on 7 Jul 1943.

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.

Emplacement #1 has been painted by park and museum volunteers in the original U.S. Army battery green.

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Location: Artillery Hill, Fort Worden State Park Conference Center,
Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington.

Elevation: 257'

GPS Locations:

48.141335, -122.768108 Battery Benson

Sources:

Fort Worden Guide, The Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, 2005, page 20-21
U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Puget Sound, (CCA-AN-PS), 12 Aug 1945, CDSG

Links:

Fortification ID:

WA0034 - Battery Benson

Picture Gallery

Battery Benson Gun #2 Position
Battery Benson Corridor
Battery Benson- Groupment Control Post (1943)
Battery Benson Groupment Control Post (1943) Observation Slit
Battery Benson view From Groupment Control Post (1943)
Battery Benson Gun #1 Position, with restored battery green paint
Battery Benson original battery commander station, just south of the main battery