Fort Wetherill

Overview

When It Was Active: 1900-1970
Occupied By: U.S. Army
- 243rd Coast Artillery
Built By: U.S. Army (1900)

Area

The abandoned ruins of Fort Wetherill are an eerie reminder of past wars. The area is now a state park and can be visited for free. The large bunker can still be accessed and civilians are still permitted to enter the dark passages that once led to command rooms and storage facilities. Be mindful of debris in the area and avoid rusty and exposed metal. In order to reach the top end of the fort, it is best to climb the rocks along the water. Watch your step. There are a few wash out paths to get to the top, but avoid any wet or slippery surfaces. Also, Fort Wetherill is very windy so it is recommended to bring a windbreaker and warm clothes, especially when visiting in the fall.

Construction

The area around Fort Wetherill was purchased by the government in 1799, with further purchases in the Endicott Era (1898-1902). Fort Wetherill was constructed during this time (1899) for improving U.S. coastal fortification. This is one of the larger bases built for its important strategic location. Its design could accommodate up to 1,200 men if needed. Fort Wetherill is an Endicott battery, meaning it was designed in the late 1800s with improved technologies. Wetherill was constructed to have two or three main weapons surrounded by 15-20 foot thick walls of concrete. It was also located a bit further inland to give about forty feet of dirt and sand protection. Fort Wetherill was very low to the ground and was made to try to blend into the natural terrain as much as possible. Beneath the artillery were additional rooms for officers and other uses.

Strategy

Upon visiting Fort Wetherill, it is clear why the government established such a fortification. The location provides a completely unobstructed view of the entire entrance to the Bay, including Block Island and Point Judith. Even colonists during the Revolutionary War created earthen mounds for mounted cannons to defend from the British. Technological advancements at the time allowed for Fort Wetherill to have improved defenses. The artillery was protected by front facing cement walls that allowed for safer operation. To the front of Fort Wetherill is a massive rock cliff face that made it difficult for ships to attack. Many different types of artillery were instituted including 3’’ barbette guns, 12’’ disappearing rifles, 12’’ barbette rifles, 6’’ shielded rapid-fire rifles, 3’’ anti aircraft guns, and mobile 90 mm guns. Responsibilities included caring for minefields and submarine nets, artillery spotting, signaling and observation. Fort Wetherill would also receive information from scattered firing stations to know where enemy vessels were approaching.

Narrative

Fort Wetherill had a unique function during the Second World War. 380,000 Germans were kept as Prisoners of War at camps across the country. The Nazi ideals of the Germans were dangerous in the prisons, and oftentimes they would attack or harass those who disagreed with their beliefs. Seeing the horrors within these camps, Eleanor Roosevelt prompted her husband, FDR, to start the Prisoners of War Special Projects Division. The goal was to “denazify” these Germans and provide them with the tools necessary to rebuild war torn Germany on democratic principles. Three of these schools existed at Fort Kearney, Fort Getty, and Fort Wetherill. At Fort Kearney, the prisoners were educated in the basics of English, military government, and democracy. Upon graduation, they would be moved to either Fort Getty, where they were educated on government administration, or Fort Wetherill, where they would learn the basics of law enforcement. The idea was that these courses would provide the prisoners with the tools to establish order in Germany. Fort Wetherill was perfect for the school because its location on the island deterred escape attempts. In fact, the only barriers were simple barbed wire fences, and the guards were actually ex-German prisoners as well. The schools produced over 1,100 graduates. Despite having success at the schools, it was a different story when they returned to Germany. The small group of men were left to their own devices and had very little effect on spreading American ideals through the country. The fact that this fort took part in this revolutionary program further ties Rhode Island to the military efforts during the 1940s and 1950s.

Prisoners wore uniforms stamped with "PW" in large print, making them stand out from uniformed soldiers and further prevent escape attempts.

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