Named after Major General Ambrose E.
Burnside, a colorful figure of civil war era. Inventor of the
breach loading carbine. Commanded the army of the Potomac (after
twice turning down the position!). Politician serving as Governor
of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1868.
Fort Burnside has the second largest land area of the coastal
forts at 118 acres. As the most southern point, centrally located
in the bay, it served as the tip of the defensive spear. The joint
Army and Navy Harbor Entrance Control Post was located by the
lighthouse. Its job to
identify all ships approaching and attempting to enter the bay,
and to spot enemy submarines attempting to mine the approach.
Reporting to the Harbor Defense Commander at Fort Adams.
As far as forts go, this tract of land was pretty barren, with
little activity and lights to distract the young men at there post.
The main weapons here were a 12” and 24” carbon arc searchlight.
The largest Naval complement assigned to this important post was in
1943 with nine officers and forty enlisted men.
Battery 213 of two 6” shielded (armored) guns were constructed
here. In 1942 the two 3” guns of Battery Whiting were moved from
Fort Getty to this fort to defend the east passage mine field.
The Beavertail Signal Station was located within this fort.
Prior to satellite communications, and with the Navy in full
operation at Newport and Quonset, this Station served as an
important tool in communications with the fleets up through the
mid-1970s. I have been told by a fairly reliable source, that the
Navy even communicated thru the ledge outcroppings in ultra low
frequencies to the submarine fleet from this Station. The anchor
points for the guide wires of large radio antennas can be seen
throughout the park.
Prospect Hill Fire Control Station can be visited on leaving the
park. It controlled the Batteries of the East Passage, and was the
Harbor Mine command. There is a
Multi Cache there. Take “Battery Lane” on the left.
The Cable Hut for the anti-submarine hydrophone loops, the
termination point of some 90,000 feet of underwater magnetic cable
can be found at this other
cache on the East Passage.
Congratulations to BBWolf and the half six pack
of Pigs for FTF