Napatree point Watch Hill - Bunker

[Kabli]

just went there this past weekend. The first fort was pretty cool. It definetely seemed much simpler than getty and wetherill. It the battery fartherest west there was a tunnel (looked like a former stairwell) filled with trash. did anyone else find this? and does anyone remember it when it wasnt full of trash?

Anyways... If you can find it there is a small iron door that is welded and bolted shut in lower level of the fort. Real thick. I've checked it everytime I've gone there and it is always the same... sealed. last there in summer of 08 and its still shut. I am yet to find anyone who has got past it and its too far out to the fort to haul heavy tools. A challenge for anyone whos up to it. If anyone is into diving the bckside of the point is littered with relics from the hurricane of 38. Before that hurricane there was actually a road and buildings most of the way out to the point that were washed away.

Didnt find it. Maybe next time when it isnt 30 or so degrees out.

[Megster]

I just checked all my old photos of this place and I didn't see it in them...I'm not sure where it's supposed to be but I don't have pics of every room there either (most of the largest battery though)  The next battery has two pieces (one more difficult to find than the other).  I try to go out there at least once a year.  I don't remember that door either, but it's been a while.  I have yet to go in the winter though.

Don't remember that hole without the trash.  My ex went partially down in one of the holes in the smaller battery and stuck a camera in a space that he couldn't fit in, and it appears to be a tunnel to but also filled with trash and dirt.  Not much to look at, not even in pics.  The only place I can think of with welded shut doors is Wetherill.

[JiggyJamesG]

me and omni never made it out there lol, and hes at boot camp now for the reserves so we will have to put it off untill may lol

[Kabli]

lol. what branch of the reserves did he join?

[JiggyJamesG]

The Army Reserves

[kitty771]

Most of the awesome grafitti that's down there was don by a close friend of mine. We have gone to other bunkers in the area and I've sat on cold winter afternoons watching him create. He's great at it. The Severence Day, the birds and the XXX are all his.  Great pics by the way.

More Fort Mansfield Pics!

[Megster]

Thanks for the compliment on the pics!  Those particular ones were done in the summer of 2003 but I've taken more photos since.  That whole set is absolutely amazing, esp. the birds in the big room.  Did your friend do some at Wetherill too?  It doesn't really appear to be his style but then again I don't know what he's doing differently today vs. 7 years ago.

In unrelated news, I just scored a postcard yesterday of Fort Mansfield from the 60s or so.  Graffiti is there, yes, but not spraypainted.  Interesting, should scan it.

[Az17]

Thanks for the compliment on the pics!  Those particular ones were done in the summer of 2003 but I've taken more photos since.  That whole set is absolutely amazing, esp. the birds in the big room.  Did your friend do some at Wetherill too?  It doesn't really appear to be his style but then again I don't know what he's doing differently today vs. 7 years ago.

I have some pictures from last summer when I was there with friends. I'll update once located.

[Az17]

I have nothing to do tomorrow so maybe I'll visit.

[sewerRat21]

does anyone know of the condition of the fort at this point im planning to go down on friday or sunday depending on the weather

[Megster]

This fort's not going anywhere 

[zman]

I was out there a week ago.  Somebody did some clearing so it easy to get into /around the batteries.

[zman]

I've never been able to find any locked / welded doors out there either.  As far as tunnels - in the smaller battery, Crawford ,there is a small access tunnel to the bottom of the gun pit for maintenance (square hole in photos above).  Also they had a sewer line out there as well - I 've seen manhole covers for that.

[Megster]

yes but that tunnel is quite small.  In '06 we stuck my camera down there with a timer and it just looks like it's full of trash.

[CarbonCavi]

its not going anywhere, will be there for quite some time, good exercise to get out there too!

[beatkeeper1]

Went there the other night with my friend and it was pretty fun just finding it.  Loads and LOADS of ticks!! time to deet up.  Interesting none the less.

[CarbonCavi]

yea theyre always bad down there.

[NewBedfordBunkers]

Went down to Watch Hill last Monday, nice low tide day.  Was able to see the outline of the sunken battery in the surf.  They put up wooden railings around the larger battery, and steel plates over the ladders, so getting into the battery was a pain.  Its very overgrown with no real path down to the bottom level.  The outer battery was still easily accessible, but also quite overgrown.  It would be nice if the town tried to clean it up a bit, seems like they dont want to waste the money.....

[Gmack24]

I went in today and man it was a bitch to get out there with the "high wind warning"  I should have deff picked a better day.
But yeah they have put up a bunch of fencing around the main battery and there is only one stairwell to get down into it.

I got this good shot and hope to post more later this week when I have more time.
I am beat going to bed  : )



http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6783912854/in/photostream

[NewBedfordBunkers]

Cool pic, look forward to the rest!

[NewBedfordBunkers]

[Gmack24]

^ Do you have any interiors ?

More From my trip.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6797752088/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6797741238/in/photostream/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6792207142/in/photostream

[Megster]

Major dislike for the barriers up at this place.   

Usually don't like spot coloring but like how it was done on that first pic in the last post.

[CarbonCavi]

im wondering why the town would waste the money and efforts for those cheap wooden posts that people will light on fire and break down etc.... someone must have fallen im guessing

[zman]

I asked about this over on the Yahoo CoastDefense list - it was the Watch Hill Association that did it (they claim ownership to the fort).   I think they also plan a bird-watching stand on-top the battery or something like that.  This could be some "prep" work to make it safe for people to watch birds?   We were out there 3-Apr-11 and there was no fence - my friend went 2 weeks later and it was there.  Not a big fan....

[Gmack24]

 Battery Crawford


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6800301706/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6946396455/

[Gmack24]

Battery Wooster


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6792173316/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmack24/6784278456/

[Megster]

Anyone know if Fort Mansfield was affected by Hurricane Sandy?  Watch Hill sand dunes were pushed back a bit as seen on aerial photos.  Going to hike out there tomorrow (or today if time permits).

[CarbonCavi]

Was wondering this myself. I drove by, but couldnt get in as there was a national guard humvee out front denying access

[Megster]

Yep, ran into the same issue there.  I spoke to a guy who took aerial photos because we were going to book a flight but decided not to, he said "they weren't affected much" so who knows what he means by that.