Fort Wetherill is named after Captain Alexander Macomb
Wetherill , US Infantry. A casualty in Cuba of the Spanish
American war, 1898. His family, were summer residents of
Jamestown.
Fort Wetherill reservation was purchased by the newly formed
government in 1799. It was further expanded by condemnation between
1898 – 1902. This 61.5 acre Army installation is situated atop
three 50 -70 foot high granite cliffs. It commands a view of the
open ocean to the south, with Block Island visible on the horizon,
and Point Judith in site to the southeast. Fort
Adams, clearly seen to the east across the passage. A
significant strategic location, exploited by even the earliest
colonists.
The concrete Fortifications are from the “Endicott Period” and
included Batteries Varnum and Cooke on the Eastern hill and
Batteries Crittenden, Dickerson, Zook, Wheaton, and Walbach ruins
exist on the most western hill within the State Park. The fort was
armed with a total of fifteen defensive
cannons between 3” and 12”. An Anti-Aircraft Battery was
installed during WW II on the hill between the coves. In addition,
the steel anchor points for the submarine net can still be found on
the rocks below the Eastern Batteries. Take the
time to climb the parapets above the parking area, the view is
probably the best of Narragansett Bay and not to be
missed.
All the forts, Endicott
Batteries are accessible to a certain degree; however the
western installation is larger, more open, and deserves a visit.
There is closer parking, and a few
caches in the area. The graffiti is extensive, and graphic to
say the least. The vaults and magazines below the gun mounts are
fairly accessible. Watch your footing as no lighting exist, so make
sure to bring a flashlight if electing to enter the vaults.
I strongly suggest you do not take small or even
medium kids below ground as it could be very frightening.
Look for evidence of the hoist that would raise the artillery
shells and powder to the weapon.
A large part of the WWII defense plan of the bay, were
underwater mines.
These were not the uncontrolled or contact mines with spikes we saw
in old movies. Each mine carried 800-pounds of TNT and was
connected by electric cable to a shore-based, detonating
station. When a vessel
struck a mine, an impact-sensitive device in each mine sounded
the alarm in the control bunker. The order could then be given to
detonate the mine and blow up the vessel which hit it.
The concrete building by the boat basin was the storage shed for
these mines. Checkout the heading
over the door. Also of some interest, are the surviving
railroad tracks to transport the mines to the Army
mine planter. (The Army “planted” mines, the Navy “laid”
mines…go figure.) An Army ferry service transported troops between
Fort Adams and Fort Wetherill from this location.
This small lock-and-lock is located at the
Maintenance facility for the mines and submarine net(The net
controlled by the Navy. The mines by the Army…another, go figure.)
There is good parking very close to the cache, but to fully enjoy
this area park at the lot just above the Department on
Environmental Management. Look for a large steel “fishing”
float. These floats, in large numbers, supported the submarine
net.
The DEM maintains information boards on the history of the fort
by the boat basin. The hardest thing for a cacher to find sometimes
is a bathroom. The DEM building has clean, flush toilets, well
marked and found open and available even in January.
Congratulations to BloodhoundRIk9RT for
FTF