Located on a peninsula once called “Fox Hill”, this area has
been used to control ship movement in the West Passage of
Narragansett Bay since revolutionary days by both the colonist and
the British.
The 31 acre site was acquired by the government in 1900.
Construction of permanent fortifications began in 1901 and was fist
garrisoned in July of 1908.
The Fort is named after ColonelGeorge W. Getty, 4th U.S.
Artillery, and Brevet Major General, U.S. Volunteers, who served
with distinction during the Mexican and Civil War.
Most, if not all, the remains of Fort Getty are from what is
referred to as the “Endicott Period”. After the Civil War, in 1885
Secretary of War,William C. Endicott, was designated by congress to
report on the status of costal and harbor defenses. The
introduction of iron clad war ships powered by steam during the
civil war left the US harbor and coast venerable. Existing forts
(like Fort Adams) were designed to target and destroy wooden
sailing ships, not the heavily armored fast moving steam driven
ships of the post war. The results of this study are the concrete
remains that you see throughout Fort Getty..
Endicott Forts are typically protected on three sided by
concrete walls 15 to 20 feet thick and further protected by earthen
parapets up to 40 feet thick. Since there were no aircraft at the
time, no protection or camouflage was provided for attack from the
air or the rear. Armaments of these forts were basically of two
types. Fixed artillery units, and "disappearing" gun that retracted
below the parapet for reloading and protection. Vaults were located
below the gun mounts. They housed ammunition, plotting rooms,
offices and communications equipment. Shells and powder were
hoisted to the gun platforms by mechanical means (elevators).
Fort Getty’s armament included Battery “Whiting” with two 3”
guns, Battery “House” with two 6” guns, and Battery “Tousard” with
three 12” Disappearing type guns. It was complimented by Fort
Kearney on the mainland 1 ½ miles across the bay, and Fort Greble a
half mile away on Dutch Harbor Island.
With the completed construction of Fort Church, Little Compton
in 1942 and Ft Greene, Point Judith in 1943, the newer guns
overlapping range of 26 miles, and advancements in RADAR. The
effectiveness of defenses previously constructed within the bay
were shadowed.
In 1979 Battery Tousard, and for the most part Battery House
were buried. Getty also served as the eastern anchor point for the
anti-boat boom and submarine net that closed off the West Passage
from 1942 till September 1944. It served as a German POW camp and
school in 1945. Look for the granite gate as you enter or leave the
park, it was constructed by, and all that remains from the
POW’s.
The cache is located on top the parapet of
what remains of Battery Whiting. It is well hidden, and should be
pretty much muggle proof. Parking is very close by, and you should
be to GZ in less than two minutes.Please
take note on how it is hidden prior to removing the cache so that
you can replace it in exactly the same way.
Despite this cache being fairly
accessible, I expect it to be a tough one to find, hence the
3.5 rating. If you really have trouble, I’ll be happy to
“clue you in” on its location.
Congratulations to BloodhoundRIk9RT for First to
Find.