fort wint - grande island Photo Gallery by rex

fort wint - grande island

Lat 14° 46' 0N Long 120° 13' 60E

this island with an area of approx. 1/2 square mile and with the highest point being 167 feet above sea level, is located at the mouth of subic bay.

it has been a natural point used to protect shipping in subic bay since the 16th century.

spanish batteries were originally located around subic bay. however, they were not yet completed in 1898 so the spanish decided to abandon them.

american fortifications, fort wint batteries, were built between 1909 and 1919.

- battery warwick had two 10" disappearing guns. in 1963 they were moved to fort casey, washington state.

- battery woodruff had two 6" disappearing guns.

- battery flake had four 3" rapid fire pedestal guns. In 1960 two were moved to fort casey, washington state.

- battery jewel had four 3" rapid fire pedestal guns. In 1960 two were moved to fort flager, washington state.

- battery hall had two 6" disappearing guns. partly destroyed, guns are still inplace.

(for those not in the know, 10" and 6" means the diameter of the barrel not the lenght of the guns)

this island was maintained by the us navy until 1992 where it was turned over to the Philippines.

"The fate of Fort Wint and Subic Bay was sealed when General MacArthur decided to retreat behind the Mabatang - Mauban line. If Boudreau's forces had remained on the island they would have been surrounded and cut off without a supply line. The Fort could not have withstood an amphibious assault. Almost all the guns faced westward and the eastside of the island was flat and had a big beautiful sandy beach; ideal for landing troops and difficult to defend. The loss of Subic Bay shortened Japanese supply lines by allowing them to unload their supplies at Olongapo, the "door step" of Bataan rather than at Lingayen Gulf."
- George Munson.

from a gunner's view	anti-craft gun	ring	sunlight
battery door no. 2	battle ruins		6 inch gun
1908	long range		the past not forgotten
standing proud	bullet the blue sky	jungle clearing	an old buoy
a sealed submarine entrance	battery flake	battery flake tower	big gap
bullet holes from a zero fighter	part of an old spanish garrison	battle scarred	rusting away

post a comment

Doug Summers		01-Mar-2009 19:35
If anyone wants to contact me who lived in Subic Bay during 1974 to 1978, feel free to contact me at: doug.summers@ymail.com

Doug Summers		01-Mar-2009 19:32
I was a dependant living in the Binictican area of Subic Bay and I spent a great deal of time on Grande Island and explored this island so many times. One of the reasons I spent so much time over there was as a Webelo in Pack #360 and a Boy Scout in Troop #360 of the Far East Council. Upon looking at all these pictures, they bring back so many memories as I have been to these locations of the batteries and magazines, been inside of them even. Thank you for sharing. I was shocked at the changes to Grande Island. They turned the ball fields into a swimming pool... WOW! My stay in the PI was never left me and I hold those memories so very dear. I only hope that one day I may be able to revisit my childhood there. I was in the Philippines from 1974 to the end of 1978.

Mike Medlock		24-Dec-2007 21:38
My e-mail address: sploziv@yahoo.com

Mike Medlock		24-Dec-2007 21:35
I visited Grande Island during the mid 1960s. I served on MSOs with the US Navy. I spent a lot of time at the EM club on Grande but also explored the island and "snorkled" around it and Chiquita Island as well. I have several photographs taken on Grande Island including the big guns that were there at that time. These pictures are all on slides but i'm sure they can be transferred to a CD and I would be happy to share if requested.

Guest		12-Dec-2007 18:32
Their were two large fixed gun emplacements in circular revetments pointing out to sea. Each contained a shore battery with a rifled barrel 16" cannon manufactured by Philadelphia Iron Works in the 1890's. There was a bunker constructed of stone and cement supporting each gun used for crew quarters, ammo storage and service shops.. They were connected by a breechwork structure. The later installed smaller defense batteries were scattered around the site. In the early 1960's one of batteries was completely overgrown with jungle growth, but the other was cleared, and except for lots of rust, looked pretty much as it had been when operational. It had been the site of a Hollywood movie made in the late 1950's named No Man Is An Island starring Jeffrey Hunter. It was the story of the sailor left on Guam after the evacuation following Pearl Harbor. He had a radio and reported on Japanese military activity on Guam. The Grande Island guns were supposed to be defensive units located on Guam. Aiming of the large guns was accomplished by manually turning large steel wheels (similar to ships steering helms) on each side. One was for elevation adjustment, the other for azmith. Each wheel was approximately 48" in diameter, with spokes and hand grips. They looked like steel replicas of the wheel you seen on a ship in a pirate movie. They were mounted on steel shafts approximately three inches thick. The crew that cleaned the site for the movie had removed the two wheels by taking a cutting torch to the shafts. Sailors visiting the island on R & R removed the other two wheels with hacksaws.

Bill Freeman		22-Nov-2007 21:55
I was at Grande Island from 1968 to 1970 while I was in the Navy. We got to the island in landing craft. there was a small pier. The appeal of the place then was that one could wear dungarees instead of whites to go there and officers and enlisted could all go and have a good time together. There was an enlisted mens' club and there were little bungalows where you could stay for three or four days if you could get that much time off. There were beach parties on the white sand beaches and snorkeling off the southern side of the island was popular. The changes in the place are amazing to me, especially the "inland beach." I'd love to go back. Our ship was ported at the ammunition pier, so Grande was closer than going sall the way back to the main base.

Roger Berry		09-Apr-2006 00:50
I enjoyed your pictures very much. I was stationed at Subic Bay in 1958, in the base boat pool, and visited Grande Island many times. I never had the chance to take photos because at that time the island was off limits. I had the opportunity to visit the island when I took Philipino guards to the island and looked around at that time. Thanks for the memories. Roger Berry

Bill Farley		10-Mar-2006 23:34
My name is Bill Farley. I was in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Subic Bay from 1974 through 1976. When we evacuated Vietnam in May 1975 we used Grande Island for our processing station. We guarded 10,000 refugees on that little island. We used to walk all over and look at the ruins. One picture I did not see is the old jail cut into the western seawall of the island. Your pictures bring back many memories for me. Thanks

Guest		24-Feb-2006 09:13
how to travel to grande island

roger		05-Aug-2005 16:16
i am hoping to one day return to visit grande island and your beautiful country.

roger		05-Aug-2005 16:13
the island was very pristene. overgrowth covered much of the leftover weapons except for the gun emplacements.

rex_rafael		14-Jan-2005 09:45
i am glad you enjoyed the pics roger. wow! you were in grande circa late 60s' to early 70's. how did grande island look then? regards, rex

Roger		13-Jan-2005 19:37
really enjoyed your album. brought back many wonderful memories. went to grande island many times between 1967 and 1970. thanks again.

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