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Post by cbuehler on Mar 8, 2012 12:54:53 GMT 8
While my determined companion Fireball was paddling about in the bowels of the fort which provided us with these rare glimpses, I was left to do more conventional exploring befitting that of a first timer. I do want to share some glory as shown in the accompanying photo. They are under the partially collapsed ceiling between the main batteries on the lower level and many of the more experienced visitors of Drum are familiar with them. The 14" projectiles are of course armour piercing and not high explosive, which makes sense as these AP projectiles would have been of little use if not against ships. Fireball accidentally discovered them while we were examining the smaller badly corroded projectile located along the walkway, which is well known, and is an HE; it's fuse now missing. Conrad Attachments:
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Post by The Phantom on Mar 14, 2012 6:31:29 GMT 8
Maybe the last photo's of that section of Drum to be taken, impressive.
As the last of the scrappers tugs at the last remaining piece of support structure on Fort Drum......... I'm sure he will become part of it's demise, and history, as it collapses on his shrieking self.
No wait, no one will know he was there right?
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Post by fots2 on May 12, 2012 0:32:48 GMT 8
Update: Please go to post #1 of this thread to see photos of Fort Drum.
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Post by The Phantom on May 12, 2012 1:02:40 GMT 8
Good to see it all together Fots.
Another possible title for this thread;
"The current value of high grade early 20th Century Bethlehem Steel, vs posterity/historical significance?"
Tourist trips to the "internally sinking Concrete Battleship" will always be possible, if the ride generates funds for the Banka owners, who get paid whether they land or not.
Scrapper boats have unseen schedules from Cavite. Unfortunately they have all the time in the world to do their dirty work without prying eyes.
Would love to know where they sell their loot, how much they get per pound, and what it is made into.
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Post by xray on May 12, 2012 3:58:14 GMT 8
Thanks for reviving this, one of my fav threads. Don't think I saw the 2nd round of pics the first time, with the air ducts ect. When it comes to Drum, even an air duct or rusty ladder is of interest.
Was wondering, how many levels in this structure ? I'm guessing the lower level are completely inaccessible due to battle damage/ flooding ? Are there any period blueprints for this structure available ?
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Post by fots2 on May 12, 2012 11:03:40 GMT 8
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Post by fots2 on May 12, 2012 15:03:22 GMT 8
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Post by sherwino on May 12, 2012 16:44:36 GMT 8
Fots, thanks for this kind of tour. I have never read this post before. Amazing.
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Post by rickthelibrarian on Jul 30, 2015 8:09:53 GMT 8
Absolutely FANTASTIC pictures, first of the "upper side" then what still lies below. I would have liked to have at least set foot on Fort Drum, but the below picture, taken from Battery Crockett, is as close as I got. It was a real pleasure to meet FOTS on my trip to the Philippines in Jan. 2014.
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Post by cbuehler on Sept 23, 2015 4:35:22 GMT 8
Now that Ft. Drum is apparently off limits, it looks like this may indeed be the last study to be presented here. As can be seen, when Fireball and I made this trip in 2012, the condition of the interior was in a perilous state.These photos do not show all of the crumbling interior as some areas are now just rubble. I suppose it has never been particularly "safe" to visit since the end of the war, but now it is bad enough that it may be best to have the entrances to the interior sealed off. Not only for safety, but to positively prevent scrappers from removing any more metal, although I doubt that is happening much anymore due to the dangerous conditions within. Scrappers have done their dirty work in the past, but I would place deterioration from time and neglect as the greatest danger to this fabulous structure. I seriously doubt the Philippine Government or other entities will be making an effort to preserve what is left; perhaps there is little that can be done at this point anyway. Rebar and all other metal is rusting from deep within the structure through cracks and fissures, causing the interior flooring of the different levels to collapse. The transoms and other supporting fixtures within the barbettes are decaying away, which will inevitably cause the rest of the tubes still visible to fall back into them. The main walls and most of the roof will likely last for a long time to come as will the turrets of the main batteries, but the gun tubes themselves are already pealing away revealing the inner hoops towards the muzzles of the barrels. If anyone has a more recent appraisal and photos of the fortress, please post your findings.
CB
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