New England Defenses

Pulpit Rock Camp

Revision as of 11:38, 27 May 2024 by J. Malcolm (talk | contribs)

Pulpit Rock Camp was a military reservation for the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth. The site included an eight story Fire control Tower. A steel Fire Control Tower and AMTB Battery 951. This reservation was designated Location 142.

Reservation Map
Reservation Map

Eight Story FCT

In 1942 construction started on an eight story Fire Control Tower for Fort Dearborn nearby. The seventh story level DPF was designated for Battery 103/Seamen and the eight level DPF was for Battery 204. The roof was used as an Anti-Aircraft Spotting station AAIS OP 7. The tower was completed in 1943 on a government owned .44-acre tract. This tower and the one at Sisters Point MR were the only ones actively manned through WWII. The navy had control over the tower from 1954-1971 and made some modifications for surveillance equipment. The fish and game department has owned the tower since 1974. It was suggested for the national register of historic Places in the 1970s but was not accepted and finally made the list in 2010 after being on the seven to save list in New Hampshire. In 2008 the Friends of Pulpit Rock Tower was formed to preserve the tower. The tower officially opened in 2009 on some holidays and continues to do so. The tower has been under restoration for many years and is still as of 2024.

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Steel FCT

Steel FCT Locale
Steel FCT Locale
Steel FCT Map
Steel FCT Map

In 1942 on a separate tract of land a steel FCT was built near the main tower and used for Battery 205 and the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth. This tower was dismantled around 1953 and the cab was built of corrugated aluminum.

 
Emplacement #1 2022





 
Emplacement #2 remains

Battery AMTB 951

 

Built in 1942, AMTB Battery 951 was operated as part of Fort Dearborn nearby. The battery was deactivated in 1946 and abandon. Around 1962 the Coastal roadway was expanded which would cover the second AMTB emplacement, so it was destroyed and disposed of near the other remaining emplacement. Its remains can still be found on the beach. The area where emplacement one is located became a parking lot and the mounting screws for the guns were grinded down. Over the years emplacement one has been damaged by cars driving over it. Emplacement two is in rubble in the general area the mounting ring is in. During severe storms in early 2024, many parking lots along the seacoast in Rye needed to be rebuilt, this parking lot where emplacement #1 is located was rebuilt and cars can no longer park on the emplacement.

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