Island Fortifications in Narragansett Bay

[Tmac02892]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has explored any abandoned military sites on the smaller islands in Narragansett Bay.  I've been to Rose Island (visible from the Newport Bridge), which has some buildings from WWII, and some Revolutionary War barracks.  I plan to go to Dutch Island very soon, and I heard there was some stuff on Prudence and Goat Islands.  Any info on these sites?  Also, pictures are most welcome.

[urbanexplorer]

Dakiel and Skully are the resident experts around here on whats on what island and which are off limits also welcome to iB

[Dakiel]

welcome, saw your other posts, ill try to reply to them all,  in the meantime try to find yourself a copy of walter schroder's Defenses of narragansett bay during WWII. 

[Tmac02892]

welcome, saw your other posts, ill try to reply to them all,  in the meantime try to find yourself a copy of walter schroder's Defenses of narragansett bay during WWII. 

Thanks, I have his book on Dutch Island, so this other book sounds great. 

[Skunk]

If you plan on heading over to any of these island be sure to pack bug spray with plenty of skin melting DEET.

They're loaded with ticks.

[insanebeaver]

i know their isn't much on prudence island
small ammo rooms is all i've seen
most have been sealed off

[urban ninja]

gould island looks good but i need a boat, anybody know if a kayak will sufixe(sp)

[Megster]

seems a little risky for a kayak, Narragansett Bay can get pretty rough.

[Dakiel]

Skully, Mr. T and myself went overboard in a 6 man raft trying to get from ft. getty to dutch is. one night be careful.

BTW Gould is technically off limits as they still do torpedo testing there from the navel war college. 

[Kabli]

Skully, Mr. T and myself went overboard in a 6 man raft trying to get from ft. getty to dutch is. one night be careful.

BTW Gould is technically off limits as they still do torpedo testing there from the navel war college. 

I heard that Gould has been reopened to the general public. Dutch Island is still off limits. I called DEM a week ago and verified it with them. It is possible to traverse from Getty to Dutch in a kayak but I wouldnt unless you are experienced in ocean kayaking and have one. (I did it with a friend in river kayaks... going there okay, coming back in choppy seas- not so good.)

[zman]

My friend and I did it first week of April.  Same - nice and easy going over, rough coming back.  Wind picked up, snow squall, and large waves breaking on the beach. 

BTW - I don't think the Naval War College tests torpedos (used to work there).

[Dakiel]

BTW - I don't think the Naval War College tests torpedos (used to work there).

Sorry, its the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Here are some gould links one has maps. :

http://diodon349.com/Torpedoman/TM_Stuff/naval_torpedo_station_newport_rhode_island.htm
http://www.jamestownhistoricalsociety.org/assets/files/Gould%20Island.pdf
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ri/ri0400/ri0474/data/ri0474.pdf

[Az17]

BTW - I don't think the Naval War College tests torpedos (used to work there).

Sorry, its the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Here are some gould links one has maps. :

http://diodon349.com/Torpedoman/TM_Stuff/naval_torpedo_station_newport_rhode_island.htm
http://www.jamestownhistoricalsociety.org/assets/files/Gould%20Island.pdf
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ri/ri0400/ri0474/data/ri0474.pdf

I have another link for you. The site also talks about the Charleston NAAC which is now Ninigret Wildlife Refuge.

http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/RI/Airfields_RI.htm

[donnabhain]

went over to dutch island a few weeks ago, no problem going or coming back in the dark with a little wind. Guess I hit the tides right. Might go for goulds when winter goes away.

[Hazad626]

people die every year taking kayaks,canoes on the bay, not smart! use a rowboat or something that does not tip easy!

[zman]

Rather take my kayak than a row boat.  I've done the Dutch trip twice in early April without incident.

[Hazad626]

going from jamestown to dutch is one thing , but going across east or west passage or in the middle of the bay is a little crazy for me -), i feel the current even in my motorboat, the mini bay between mackerel cove and dutch isnt that choppy.

[zman]

I go from Fort Getty - its like a 10 minute paddle.  I have a Wilderness Systems - Pungo 140, and I never felt the least bit afraid.  It cuts right through the wind and current.

[Hazad626]

yeah that works, you can also launch from the beach at the end of maple ave with kayak or small dinghy., hug the shore then go for the island. this way works well in the summer when theres campers.

[donnabhain]

I start out at the airport and paddle straight down ... sometimes the current is too swift and I miss Dutch Island completely and get pushed into the harbor. If that happens the coasties come get me. j/k If it looked too dangerous I wouldn't do it. I've kayaked to forts in Boston, Newport and Portland and never had a problem. Have you ever been kayaking Hazad? Same here zman, it's a quick paddle over from Ft. Getty, plus I get to poke around Ft. Getty first