Fort Schwatka

Fort Schwatka (1941-1945) - A World War II Coastal Fort first established in 1941 on Ulakta Head, Amaknak Island, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Named Fort Schwatka after Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka (Cullum 2389), who led an expedition to explore the Yukon River in 1883. Abandoned in 1945.

World War II (1941-1945)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Dutch Harbor.

Fort Schwatka World War II Battery (edit list)

Battery Click on Battery links below	No.	Caliber	Type Mount	Service Years	Battery Cost	Notes
Battery 402	2	8"	M1 Barbette	1942-1943-1943-1945	$ ?	Tac 3
Battery 299	2	6"	Shielded Barbette	Not Built	$ ?
Battery 155 - Fort Schwatka	4	155mm	Panama Mounts	1941-1943	$ ?
Battery AMTB - Amaknak Spit	2 2	90mm 90mm	Fixed Mobile	1944-1950	$ ?	Tac 1a
Source: CDSG

Initial construction began in the summer of 1941 by civilian contractors from the Seims Drake Puget Sound Company along with members of the 206th Coast Artillery. The initial construction built the original defenses and the cantonment area. Initial armament was 155mm GPF guns, first on field mounts and later on Panama mounts.

After the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor in 1942 the facilities were upgraded and the defenses strengthened. In February 1943 the Navy Seebees began to replace the civilian contractors as they left. The largest battery in the harbor defense, the 8" Battery 402 and it's associated PSR were completed in November 1943. This battery was built over the site of an earlier 155mm battery. In addition to Battery 402 a smaller 90mm AMTB battery was constructed on the spit below.

Fort Schwatka was also the site of the Harbor HECP/HDCP used to identify and challenge ships entering the harbor, it was completed and accepted for service in February 1944. A SCR 582 radar set was associated with the HECP/HDCP.

On 11 Apr 1945 Fort Schwatka was placed on caretaker status. The 8" guns were destroyed by explosives in August 1946.

Current Status

Part of the Aleutian World War II National Historic Area. Remains on Ulakta Head, Amaknak Island, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska.

Fort Schwatka Self Guided Tour Stops

1. EM Barracks 2. Enlisted Men’s Recreational Area 3. Cabana and Enlisted Mens Life in a Barracks 4. The Dispensary and Building Fort Schwatka 5. Administration, Personnel & an Officer’s Life 6. Ammunition Magazines 7. Harbor Entrance Command Post

8. Battery Command and Base End Station 9. Battery 402 10. 8–Inch Gun Platform 11. Wooden Sled: Hauling Materials 12. Panama Mounts and 155mm Guns 13. Base End Station: Defense & Observation

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USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 2436030

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Location: Ulakta Head, Amaknak Island, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska. Maps & Images Lat: 53.9141 Long: -166.5073 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 194'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 27
• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project Harbor Defenses of Dutch Harbor, (SRHDDH), 1944, CDSG
• NPS - Fort Schwatka Self Guided Tour (large pdf) Excellent source

• CDSG

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Schwatka
• NPS - Battle for the Aleutians

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