This Military reservation near the South Ferry Landing in Saunderstown was acquired by the government in 1901. It is named in honor of Major General Phillip Kearney U.S. Volunteers. It was first garrisoned in 1908.
Located in the west passage of the bay, it is complemented to the East 1 ½ miles by Ft Getty in Jamestown, and Ft Greble on Dutch Island. The site is now occupied by the University of Rhode Island. The concrete “Endicott” structures still exist, and the college has successfully converted the munitions magazines under the batteries into science labs.
The fort included Battery Armistead with two three inch Barbette guns to the Northeast. Battery Cram with two 6” Disappearing guns in the center. Battery French with 4 - 6” guns mounted on disappearing carriages to the southwest. The center two gun platforms at battery French now house a research Nuclear reactor.
Ft Kearney served in 1945, when no longer required as a Coast Defense position, as the base of a clandestine operation where 85 German POW’s published “Der Ruf”, a German POW propaganda newspaper with a circulation of some 75,000 copies.
This cache is located at Battery Cram. It is protected from muggles by some fairly sturdy briers. Please note that this is a working college research campus, and that it can be very active during the normal work day. The gun batteries have been enveloped by the college buildings. Attempting during the work day could be distracting to both the facility and students. It is only to be attempted on weekends and holidays, during daylight hours. The area is vigorously patrolled 24 hours by campus security. The weekend day guard is aware of Geocaching, and the cache location. He is a advocate, and well versed of the history of the fort. If approached by security, advise them that you are geocaching, and viewing the remains of the military fort.
Congratulations to knightsfootball for First to Find.