Fort Worden WWII Radar Site (2)

 (1943-1946) - A World War II U.S. Army Radar Site established in 1943. Used to provide fire control information to large caliber (6" and above) coastal gun batteries in the Harbor Defense of the Puget Sound against enemy warships. Located on Fort Worden near Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington. Closed in 1946.

History


Constructed under project No. RAD 9-120 and transferred for use on 22 May 1943 at Fort Worden. Construction costs to date of transfer were $6,000.00.The physical plant consisted of a transmitter building, one powerhouse with a 1000 gallon fuel tank, a 50' steel tower and an antenna housing disguised as a Water tank atop the tower. The two buildings and the tower were prefabricated steel units furnished by the Signal Corps. The buildings and the tower were placed on concrete pads and footings installed by the Corps of Engineers who erected all of the structures. Access to the antenna on top of the tower was by a small hoist operated by an electric motor.

The SCR-296-A radar equipment, serial number 77, was installed by the Signal Corps. It required 16.3kW of 120/240 AC, 1 phase, 60 cycle power furnished by commercial power backed up by the on-site generator. The 25 kW generator was furnished and installed by the Signal Corps.

Site Operation
The Radar track data was provided by telephone to support Battery Tolles-B as the primary battery and to secondary batteries including Battery 248. Battery Tolles-B was a 6" gun battery located on Fort Worden.

The SCR-296-A Radar equipment was declared obsolete by AG letter on 17 Jan 1946. The Tower and radar equipment were to be disposed of while the buildings were to be retained.

Closure
Closed in 1946.

Current Status
Partial remains of the transmitter building and the antenna structure piers.

See Also:
 * Fort Worden
 * Battery Tolles-B
 * US Radar Sets
 * SCR-296-A Radar Set
 * Western WWII Radar Sites

Sources:

Links:
 * RCW-Corrected to 22 May 1943, CDSG.