Sachuest Point MR
Loc. 46 Sachuest was a WWII Fire Control and Radar Site at Sachuest Point in Middletown RI.
Site 1A The Farmhouse
Completed in 1943 for $7,825, this FC Station was built to look like a simulated cottage. The two concrete observing rooms were in a three-story tower attached to the wooden cottage which served as barracks for the 6 personnel serving the station. The structure received commercial power from Newport Electric Co. and could get auxiliary power from the nearby SCR 296A generator shelter. The top floor was a spare at the time of completion but was most likely going to serve Battery 111 which was supposed to be built at Fort Burnside. The lower level (Azimuth) served Battery 213. The wooden cottage was removed in 1978 and around 1982 the concrete tower was removed.
Site 1B The Barn
Completed in 1942 for $11,956, this FC Station was disguised as a barn. The interior of the structure was not built out as barracks like Site 1A. A three-story tower with two observing levels was built within the structure. On the roof was a hatch presumably for an AAIS OP but the plans do not indicate if that was its use. 12 men manned this station, and they were quartered in Site 1A. Electric power was provided by the Newport Electric Co. or the SCR 296A auxiliary generators. The upper level (AI) served Battery Gray and the lower level (AI) served Battery Hamilton. The wooden barn was removed from around the tower around 1970 and in 1981 the tower was destroyed.
Site 1C The Silo
Completed in 1942 for $6,489, this four-story tower with three observing levels was designed to look like a silo. Interior ladders provided access to each floor but on the back of the station was also a rebar staple ladder that went to the roof. This ladder is not shown on any plans but is clearly visible in photos of the tower. The 18 men who manned this station would have quartered in the cottage at Site 1A. Power was provided by the Newport Electric Co. but auxiliary power could be provided by the SCR 296A generators. The upper floor (AI) served Battery 109, the middle level (AI) served Battery Reilly, and the lower level (AI) served Battery 212. The tower was demolished for safety reasons around 1982.
Site 1D The SCR 296A
Completed in 1943 for $12,300, this SCR 296A Radar was mounted atop a 100ft steel girder tower. It served Battery Reilly and was painted to look like a water tower. The rotor was located inside a faux wooden "tank". A corrugated steel transmitter building and two generator shelters were built near the base of the tower. The radar was powered commercially by the Newport Electric Co. but two Signal Corps 25kw 120v AC generators were located near the base of the tower for auxiliary supply to the radar and FC stations. In 1946 the radar was declared obsolete and in 1948 the tower was dismantled. The steel buildings were left in place as of 1951 but were gone by 1962.
Present
In 1970 the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was established. It took up most of Sachuest Point including the Army parcel. All remains of the FC Stations demolished by 1985. The site is open to the public and the foundations of the SCR 296A Radar buildings are the only visible remains left.
SOURCES and REFERENCES
Rhode Island Aerial Photos 1939-2019
HD Narragansett Bay 1945 Annex
Report of Completed Works USACE Richard Migliori