Mishaum Point Military Reservation Explained

Mishaum Point Military Reservation
Partof:Harbor Defenses of New Bedford
Location:Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Coordinates:41.5152°N -70.9539°W
Pushpin Map:USA Massachusetts
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Massachusetts
Type:Coastal Defense
Built:1943-1945
Builder:United States Army
Used:1943–1947
Condition:built on
Ownership:private
Open To Public:no
Garrison:Fort Rodman
Battles:World War II

Mishaum Point Military Reservation was a coastal defense site located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts as part of the Harbor Defenses of New Bedford.

History

The Mishaum Point Military Reservation was built on land purchased in 1943. Its mission was to protect the Cape Cod Canal and New Bedford from possible air and naval attack. It never fired its guns in anger, but it did play an important part in the defense of the canal. The site also contained the Harbor Entrance Control Post for New Bedford harbor and a fire control tower.[1]

The reservation had a battery of two 6-inch M1 guns on long-range shielded carriages, with a large magazine and fire control bunker between them. The battery was called Battery 210. Additionally, the site initially had a pair of 155 mm towed guns on "Panama mounts", circular concrete platforms for this type of gun. This battery was withdrawn in 1945 when Battery 210 was completed. An Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) battery of four 37 mm towed guns was also on site.[2]

The site was disarmed in 1947 and turned over to the Navy in 1951. The Navy turned the site over to the Air Force in 1958, who operated it as the Mishaum Point Electronics Research Annex until sold to a private party in 1964.[2]

Present

Demolition of the Harbor Entrance Control Post was completed in about 1970 when the first mansion was built atop Battery 210. Most other non-tactical structures were removed in 1970. Battery 210 still has a mansion atop it and some foundations remain from former military structures.

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Southeastern Massachusetts - Harbor Defenses of New Bedford and Buzzard's Bay . American Forts Network . 18 July 2020.
  2. http://www.fortwiki.com/Mishaum_Point_Military_Reservation Mishaum Point Mil Res at FortWiki.com