The island was part of the Manila and Subic Bay Harbor Defense Command.
Zd877. The Fort Wint Mining Casemate, The wires to the mines run out from under this structure thru two small tunnels, I have crawled thru one of them in the past. Until two years ago all doors and windows were closed. This one door was opened in the last 2 years, thank you to the resort. Naturally I went inside to have a look.
Read MoreZd875. Battery Warwick is still locked up and we can assume that the Doppler radar on top of it is being used or as at a minimum kept secure. There are personnel here and they have a vicious looking dog. I understand Terry McGovern (of CDSG Fame) was unable to enter during his 2nd Feb. 2020 visit.
Battery Warwick has become personal to me. A very close friend and fellow Navy Diver (we served together in 4 different Commands) participated as paid volunteer to take the 10 inch guns apart and ship them to Washington State. I have made 2 albums about this event:
ex Fort Wint on Grande Island Visit with Charlie 2018-07-20
Battery Warwick Guns are not forgotten.
Click here for the 1st album:
https://philippine-sailor.net/2018/07/22/ex-fort-wint-on-grande-island-visit-with-charlie-2018-07-20/
And click here for the 2nd album:
https://philippine-sailor.net/2018/07/18/battery-warwick-guns-are-not-forgotten/
If you ever want to visit pressure the resort management to get it open or go directly to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which manages the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF).
Read MoreZd874. The Fort Wint Switch Board Room (SBR), I knew the building was here since 2004, and then it could be seen from the road. So, this time I took advantage of this visit, entered and took pictures. The building is now completely hidden because of the vegetation, in the about 20 years since my first visit after the bases closed. I had to go thru bushes to get this view.
Read MoreZd863. This was part of my Garmin GPS hand held devise walking track on Grande Island the former Fort Wint to look for my search item #1. I did not find it. I was actually walking on an old road. That road is indicated on the Navy MWR map, posted earlier on this page. It was difficult to walk because of the overgrown condition but was doable.
Read MoreAn aerial view of the Grande Island recreational facility.
Zd870. This is a 1983-02-14 Grande Island close-up picture from NARA via Wikipedia when used by the US Navy. It has a lot of history, starting with Spanish American War, then the Philippine American war; the Marines prepared it for coastal defense and then the Army took it over and built Fort Wint, etc.
This picture can be downloaded in high resolution with this URL, click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/50873090456/in/album-72157715590015061/
An aerial view of the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) in the Subic Channel, which is formed by the Grande and Luzon islands. The ship is en route to the United States Naval Facility.
Zd869. This is a 1983-02-14 Grande Island picture from NARA via Wikipedia with Battleship New Jersey BB-62 and a LSD or LPD passing each other. Now that is a Navy picture, it makes a sailor like me, proud as heck; did diving work under that Battle wagon in Subic and served on two LSDs.
This picture can be downloaded in high resolution with this URL, click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/50872387223/in/album-72157715590015061/
Zd868. This is an aerial photo of Fort Wint on Grande Island in Subic Bay prior 1932. Received this picture from NARA via CDSG member Karl Schmidt, he had it numbered #20.
This picture can be downloaded in high resolution with this URL, click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/44567569@N00/50873194197/in/album-72157715590015061/