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, 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.
| 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 and covers Panama mount #2 of that battery. In addition to Battery 402 a smaller 90mm AMTB battery was constructed.
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. Three radar sets were associated with the HECP/HDCP (one SCR 281 and two SCR 543).
On 11 Apr 1945 Fort Schwatka was placed on caretaker status. The 8" guns were destroyed by explosives in August 1946.
Current Status
Remains on Ulakta Head, Amaknak Island, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska.
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 |
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
Links:
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Fort Schwatka Picture Gallery
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