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Post by mgk1951 on Jul 21, 2008 17:55:09 GMT 8
Hi Phantom
The structure is marked on the 1921 map and listed in the maps legend as 174. MASONRY CISTERN. On the 1935 map it is marked and listed as 174....MASONRY CYSTERN. On both maps it is marked as a black filled small rectangle.
The prints of the 1921 and 1935 maps I have are about 1:5,000, so there is no additional detail at that scale. The structure does not appear to be marked on the detailed 1936 map.
I have only been to the lighthouse once and not off the pathways so I have not seen the cistern. However, it is on my list of must see items for my January '09 visit.
All the best
Martyn
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Post by EXO on Jul 21, 2008 19:05:30 GMT 8
I wonder if the Cistern is what we now call a septic tank / sullage pit?
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Post by The Phantom on Jul 22, 2008 1:34:25 GMT 8
Yeah, it's not noted on my 1936 map that I can see. I have looked at the structure every trip and asked questions. It is an area that has remained pretty much undisturbed since the war ended it appears. Aside from filling it in of course. The lighthouse has been the star in that area of Corregidor.
Another area that deserves more attention is the area around the old Spanish Fort near the former Stockade. ( near the new present day Beer Garden, don't get me started) If you look on the map, a great deal of the walls you see on the map, still exist under a canopy of trees and vines. I explored the area last February and believe it deserves more attention. It's another area of the island we walk by a great deal and lose sight of what'ss right in front of our face. Tough to take pictures of it. The American's put a gun position on the South corner of the wall.( Maybe us pissing on the Spanish and marking our territory).
Sullage pit, I don't think that would be so close to the water they were collecting from the Lighthouse. But who knows, back then they weren't to sure about sanitary placement.
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Post by mgk1951 on Jul 24, 2008 17:39:34 GMT 8
Hi Phantom
I've been to Corregidor but three times since 1991. I've only seen a fraction of what is still intact. The Old Spanish Fort and Masonry Cistern are both important surviving artifacts of Spanish occupation. And I've been within a few metres of both and not seen them. I won't pass either again without exploring.
All the best
Martyn
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Post by EXO on Jul 26, 2008 6:24:41 GMT 8
It's no wonder you didn't spot The Old Spanish Fort - one would think that CFI are passively satisfied to have it concealed from view. Well, the construction of a beer hall and pool-table shack (I wouldn't go so far as to call it a "hall") does nothing to enhance its historic nature, and discourages any visitors to its immediate locaton.
When it comes to history and heritage, its the minor changes throughout the years which add up and become major changes. Thus, it's entirely possible that the baby will be thrown out with the bathwater.
When stuff happens like this, one wonders how robust is the commitment is to the preservation of history.
(Is it their commitment, or the extent of their powers, which are limited?)
How much of it is "well, we only want to make it look like we're preserving history. Really, we need the revenue of another beer hall and pool shack."
If you are not preserving history against every , then what good are you?
For these environs, the CFI closed a school.
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Post by mgk1951 on Aug 13, 2008 19:15:12 GMT 8
EXO
Adding to your comments on the beer hall concealing the vista of history: looking at photographs of Corregidor taken pre World War 2, it looks like a totally fascinating place. The defence structures were extensive and impressive. There were also so many buildings that made up the community on Corregidor.
Corregidor became a battlefield twice and what survived the conflict is the major portions of defence structures. The buildings that were the physical portion of the community are gone.
Instead of new buildings concealing the surviving structures it would seem better to create a replica building (in keeping with the period) to house whatever activity seems important. A replica market would make a good hall, better than masking the Old Spanish Fort.
Our local military museum, here in Bunbury, is built with the facade of an old army drill hall. Originally, the complete building was donated as a "take away - erect somewhere else". Because of wood rot, only the facade was usable, but matched to a modern building it looks really great and at least a portion of history lives on.
Anyway, just my view.
Martyn
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Post by mgk1951 on Nov 20, 2008 17:21:39 GMT 8
Hi It has taken me fours months to find a website that had an early photograph of the cistern near the Corregidor Lighthouse. Well, the site that has the photograph is www.macarthurmemorial.org/corregidor_Turn_Of_The_Century.asp# and is numbered Ph00001212. The photograph was taken at the turn of the last century and shows signallers using a heliograph from the roof of the cistern. The photographer would have stood near the lighthouse, Bataan is in the background. I've emailed the Macarthur Memorial for permission to add a thumb sized copy to this posting. The website is worth a visit for this and other photographs. Regards mgk1951
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Post by The Phantom on Nov 22, 2008 0:10:50 GMT 8
Great picture of the cistern in 1900. It looks huge in the photo compared to now. Some of the roof shown in the picture is still there but the ends are open if I remember correctly, and its full of trash.......
Some other nice pictures from the early days of Corregidor on that site you provided.
You can see Skipper Hill behind the village on north shore in one shot. That's the present location of the Hotel on the southern end, the old Morgue in the middle, and the salute gun base with concrete room below, on the north end.
Homes also in Engineer's ravine back then.
Good to see these photos, a very different perspective. Thanks
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Post by armyjunk on Dec 18, 2008 5:53:42 GMT 8
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Post by mgk1951 on Dec 18, 2008 6:53:28 GMT 8
Well done armyjunk.
The photograph is originally from the book, Fighting in the Philippines, 1899?
Regards
mgk1951
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