Watson Point / Whale Island
Anti Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) gun batteries
In addition to the three big 6-inch gun batteries, the Army constructed two smaller AMTB batteries to defend against smaller gunboats and for addition anti-aircraft defense. These two batteries were built at Watson Point (now under Seamart and the nearby trailer park) and on Whale Island in Sitka Sound. (see map below)
............... | This is a map from 1944 showing the locations and ranges of the AMTB batteries. I have colored AMTB Battery # 1 at Watson Point RED and AMTB Battery # 2 on Whale Island BLUE. |
......................................................................................................................................... | 90mm AMTB Gun on fixed |
The 90mm guns had a range of about five miles (see map above). They were fifty calibers long, and weighed 1,495 lbs. The two on fixed mounts were set on a carriage that alowed them to rotate 360 degrees, and aim from +80 to -10 degrees. The carriage weighed 4,115 lbs. The mounts were concrete circles 14 ft. in diameter. | ................................................... |
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AMTB Battery # 1 Watson Point |
AMTB Battery # 2 Whale Island |
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Before the war, many people lived on the lands that were to be taken over by the Army. One family of "homesteaders" lived at Watson Point. In August 1942, they received a letter from the US Forest Service notifying them that they could no longer live at Watson Point. They were told the US Army would reimburse them for their improvements to the land. They ended up receiving $600.
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Notification that they must leave |
Army Purchase Order |
Letter that came with their check |
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