Watch Hill MR
Loc. 27 Watch Hill was a WWII Fire Control site located in Watch Hill RI.
Site 2A
Completed in 1944 for $19,820, this FC station was disguised as a cottage. Two concrete observing rooms and a fire control Switchboard room were built in a reinforced concrete structure surrounded with a wooden cottage. Commercial power was provided by the Newport Electric Co.and auxiliary power was available on standby. The East room served Battery 214 at Fort HG Wright and the West room served Battery 216 at Camp Hero. A unique fire control Switchboard was completed in a gas proofed section of the station. According to the RCW, this station was never fully completed. No azimuth instruments were installed and the station likely was never used. Shortly after the lease from the Coast Guard ended, the station was demolished.
Site 2B
Completed in 1944, for $11,110, this six story tower had three observing rooms. Similar to the cottage at Site 2A, this station may have never been completed. In the RCW dated 1944, no spotting instruments had been installed yet. Power was provided by the Newport Electric Co.and auxiliary power was available on standby. The top floor served Battery 215 (AI) at Fort HG Wright, the middle level served Battery Hamilton (AI) and the lower level served Battery 111 (AI) at Fort HG Wright. Shortly after the war when the Army's lease ended, the tower was demolished.
SOURCES and REFERENCES
HD Narragansett Bay Annex 1945
Report of Completed Works 1944
Edward Roe Snow