This cache is located on the campus of Rogers Williams College.
From 1956 till July 1974 this
40 acre site north of the Mount hope bridge was one of five
Rhode Island Nike Missile batteries that defended the City of
Providence, and most likely the Navy Bases of Newport and Quonset
during the cold war from communist aggression. In 1956 the
battery came on line with Nike
Ajax missiles weighing 2260 pounds, a range of about 25 miles,
capable of speeds of mach 2.3, and a length of 21 feet.
The base was upgraded to the Nike
Hercules in 1959. A more advanced missile, weighing 10,550
pounds, increased range in excess of 75 miles, and a blistering
speed of mach 3.5. The length increased to 27 feet. Capable of
delivering a conventional or Nuclear war head to an evading Russian
aircraft or formation.
Little remains of this, at one time, state of the art military
complex. The College Building called “Nike Hall” is not named after
athletic footwear. It was originally the barracks. I’m sure the
troops kept this building neater than the modern day students
today!
Although this cache is not located in a very
scenic area. Reflect on the
men who spent 18 years guarding what is now a parking garage.
Patrolling this fence line with
dogs
through all sorts of cold winter nights and sweltering summer days
in our defense. The 34 years since deactivation have erased all but
the memory of their service.
Congratulations to BigManDan3389 for
FTF!!
Many thanks to
Bill Shaw's Site
for pictures and content!