ex Fort Frank, Carabao Island

[Karl Welteke]

Carabao Island, ex Fort Frank via Cavite with fots2 2012-11-23

John and I wanted to go to Limbones Island but the boat crew took us to Carabao Island instead hogging the coast getting there. We got a boat from Santa Mercedes, south of Carabao Island which belongs to Maragondon Town, Cavite, but we drove there via Nasugbu. We explored 1st the NW end of the island and then Battery Greer. John also had a good look at Battery Koehler. We also investigated a new approach from the south ravine, opposite of the wall and decided against it

I’m presenting this trip in segments this is the 1st one!

Here are my first 33 images in my Photobucket account which all have descriptions:

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Here are some sample images:

On our way to Barangay Santa Mercedes from Nasugbu City. At this time Santa Mercedes only can be reached this way. The village is maybe 1 km directly south of Carabao Island. The Pico de Loro is dead ahead.



A look back where we came from, we are crossing now the last ridge to Santa Mercedes.



The river to Santa Mercedes with my car and the Pico de Loro




We reached Santa Mercedes, Carabao Island is in site. At right is the new road to the Ternate-Nasugbu Tunnel.



The map for this album as to where the islands are, where Santa Mercedes is, the tunnel and Pico de Loro.



At right is Limbones island and below was, we were told, a quarry operation.



On our way to check the progress on the tunnel, at right and back is Santa Mercedes village. The road to Santa Mercedes crosses the low ridge at left.



My photo shot of the ex Fort Frank, way across the bay we also can see Corregidor and Bataan.



This section of the road to the Ternate-Nasugbu Tunnel is practically finished, I think they are going to use asphalt.



This concrete truck came thru the tunnel from the Ternate side. They are working on culvert underneath there.



On the way to Carabao island we passed this abandoned quarry site.



We are on our way to Carabao Island, the boat is hugging the shoreline on the east side of this large Limbones Cove (name came from an Army map)
This is a bay just west of the Philippine Marine Base, did Fort Frank get its water from this cove?



We approaching this slot, we want to check it out as to whether Carabao island can be entered here. This certainly the most calm water anywhere around the island and that is why we want to look.




A closer look as to what we on our mind. Those rocks in front are blocking our way!
The son of our boat driver and owner is giving directions. Up ahead at left and up is something that looks like a wall. Fots2 thought so but how can we be sure. If we could get there the rocks in back could be climbed.
It is just to difficult with these outrigger boats, there was water behind this rock.
We gave up and here is a last look at the left steep cliff at this possible entrance point.



This is a 2009 Nov. 15 image from above, I had the feeling it might be possible. I still think it is possible with a different boat and planks




Here is a 1921 CDSG graph of Fort Frank and I marked the spots where we tried a new way to enter and on the opposite side where we did enter, Under the Wall.




Wow, 16 out 16 images uploaded!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fireball]

Attached pic is of two bird nest collectors who used the steep slope to access the island - I think they climbed up from the righthand side.

Attachments:

[fireball]

I see that the above pic is a repeat of a previous post (page 1) but I like to think its being out of the country rather than old age that led me to forget.

But, repeating myself again, I would not try that inlet to access the island as the slope looks quite loose and steep with dire consequences of a fall. The usual under wall access seems mostly good as long as you don't mind getting wet - I just put a dry clothes and boots in a waterproof bag and change on the beach so its no problem. Yes, if the waves are big there is a danger but then the other side of the island may be OK. The risk from the under wall landing is manageable but clambering up a steep slope is rather less certain.

Just one other point, the landing is only part of the story as afterwards you still need to get the boat ride to shore. Since the winds typically increase through the day staying too long on the island brings its own risks - although Karl / John's departure point may ease this problem.

So, for me anyway, forget that inlet landing with the beautiful calm water. Another alternative is the small beach at the northern end - you can get ashore there but not certain about the climb-up.

[fireball]

Ok, maybe the North Beach climb-up might be a bit hard!

Attachments:

[oozlefinch]

I've heard of people going up the slide area on the south end of the island, but to me it's too dangerous. Of the four times I've been on the island, one was under the seawall, and the other three was on the east side at the old wharf area. Back in the late '80's after the woodcutters (scrappers?) had been through, it was fairly easy to get around. If you knew where to when to cut over while climbing part-way up the incline railway, one could cut over and be in the saddle between the Koeler and Greer tunnels. It's more difficult now because of the amount of growth on the island, and the stairway up over the top appears to be gone (2006). While the guns are all gone, Ft. Frank is still one of my favorite places. The Army seemed to do so much in a small area, and the tunnel system is really cool.

[Karl Welteke]

Carabao Island, ex Fort Frank via Cavite with fots2 2012-11-23

This is the 2nd segment of this Ft. Frank, Carabao Island visit. It covers the NW area of the island. 65 more images have been uploaded to my Photobucket image sharing account for a total now of 98 images. Each image has a description and a few maps or graphs have also been provided.

Here are the 98 images in my Photobucket account which all have descriptions:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/74135eca-a6dc-4699-b26d-9f899535cedc?field=TITLE&desc=asc
If it doesn’t open, try copy and paste in a browser!


A reply to fireball’s last reply: “fireball, I guess you never tried it from the east side. That is definitely an option. A big boat with a plank is a good option, that has been the CDSG way a few times. But one can land just at the north end of that old concrete wharf at the rocky shore with a smaller boat and no plank. You get your feet wet but one can climb up the north end of that concrete wharf. The big problem from the east side are the big waves from the NE monsoons during Dec-May period. Then you follow up the old rail track and a short cut trail leads you right to the trail between the Battery Koehler and Greer tunnels.


Here are some sample images:

Making our approach to THE WALL, notice the scrappers have been busy!



What is happening to the wall, one day we will be climbing over it when it collapses?



Looking from the bridge to Battery Crofton and we are looking at that thorny scrub. The tunnel to Battery Greer runs under there.



Only this pinnacle is left, there were even some guns on this point. Compare it with the next 1945 image in my album. This is a good example what erosion does. Compare the point between 1945 and 2012 (in my album).



Towards the NW corner, this fellow knew his way around and I was glad he was with me. He used my bolo to cut our path.



This map/drawing shows you that the pinnacle was connected to the point where we found the panama mount



First we looked at the peninsular that heads to the separated pinnacle. This middle section of the three concrete items we found on the peninsular is definitely round and about the size of the inner circle of an 155mm gun but why is it so deep?



This is the most south section of the three concrete sections. Even as a novice I can say with certainty that this is definitely the outer concrete ring of a common 155 mm gun panama mount. This is the clearest image of this section of a panama mount, the outer ring.



The GPS track of our exploration in the Carabao Island NW corner.



As I said before the boat crew member who was my boloman and knew his way around guided us to the NW corner by walking near the west outer edge which was a little hairy. This picture actually shows the start of our departure from the NW corner.



The full view of the rail track bed of the single search light at the Carabao Island NW corner.



The actual entrance to the single search light shelter.



The Fort Frank Datum Point at the north end of Carabao Island



That is the rail track bed of the twin search light shelter, did both lights go out that way to the end or could they also make a left turn where John, fots2 is standing?



Now looking into the south direction, remember that pinnacle that was connected to the point at right, wow, there is a lot erosion going on, all the time.



This is the north end of Fort Frank from 1921 map which I had received from the Coastal Defense Study Group (CDSG) people.



On the way back to Battery Greer we stopped at that bunker to have a look.



Wow, again 100% upload, 17 out of 17 images, I'll have a beer to celebrate!

[okla]

Hey Karl....Don't stop at one cold one. If I was fortunate enough to be present, I would pop for a few more. Keep this good stuff coming. Cheers.

[fireball]

Thanks Karl with your report as it just gets me excited, well not just excited but the right sort of excited, for my return for 3 weeks holiday in the Philippines.

With the deep concrete hole I remember at the time putting it down as treasure hunters as the concrete rim had the rebar cut and it was just dug into the dirt - if I was after all that gold and came across a small concrete dome then I would just know it was 'hiding' that pot of gold.

On landing spots, somehow my previous post was not quite clear as I had meant the old concrete harbour as the alternative to the wall (being on opposite sides of the island to the wall). I have never visited when it has been in the lee so have never landed there but the steps and path were cleared about late 2011 - I think by the same group who had set up camp at Battery Greer and who had cleared the undergrowth/debris around the gun mounting remains.

And, there sure has been a major change to that wall!!

[Karl Welteke]

This is the 3rd segment of this Ft. Frank, Carabao Island visit. It covers Battery Greer’s under ground level. 50 more images have been uploaded to my Photobucket image sharing account for a total now of 148 images. Each image has a description and a few maps or graphs have also been provided. It didn’t work out as I planed that these new 50 images be added at the end of the album instead they went to the front.

Here are the 148 images in my Photobucket account which all have descriptions:

app.photobucket.com/u/PI-Sailor/a/74135eca-a6dc-4699-b26d-9f899535cedc?field=TITLE&desc=asc
If it doesn’t open, try copy and paste in a browser!

Battery Greer has three levels, maybe even four if we count the battery control stations higher up. My impression of this 14 inch single gun battery is that the supporting magazines and other supporting spaces are HUGE, they are really impressive. Two other things left a lasting impression, the many bats and the work of the scrappers. The work of the scrappers is very sad to me.

In this segment I made a graph of the layout of this main underground level but the space is so huge and so dark it is not accurate. It is just the best memory with the help of the pictures I came up with. Less one has or really takes a lot of time to draw and write things down it can not be 100%.

Also I don’t have the background and interest like the Costal Defense Study Group people (CDSG-they are on the www). My interest is just to see the effort of mankind to defend themselves, the humanity that serves and all the people who support them in this national effort.


Here are some sample images:

The rear entrance to Battery Greer, one of our boat crew members who operated my bolo for me. The rear entrance to Battery Greer has a chest high wall in a square like a back porch.



A zoomed-in section of Battery Greer, marked up by me with titles I will refer to in my image descriptions. Note the -Numbers- I gave to some spaces.



Entering Battery Greer from the rear, close at right is a narrow passageway that goes to the Emergency gun control station, it is that -E- on the 1921 map. The passageway makes a right and I’m looking back as the two boat crew members are about to make that right turn. The emergency gun control marked as -E- on the 1921 map.



The Battery Greer rear exit has two parallel curved ways or spaces. This is the western curved entrance way and we are looking out. The curved entrance way becomes a straight passageway which is numbered -5- on my drawing.



This is space No. 4 on my graph, we used this as the passage coming thru Battery Greer. This is the direction to enter the battery deeper from the rear entrance.



Space No. 1 on my graph and we are looking inside from space No.5. We exited the area of the 6 numbered spaces via space No. 4 and entered another long passageway also via a curved corner.



This gives you a good idea of the 2 sets of three offices. We are thru the office area and are now going to enter the large magazine area. We are looking back, we came from there, from the spaces with the numbers.




The first large magazine, remember this segment of 50 images from Battery Greer are in the order from the rear to the front where one enters the battery coming thru the long tunnel.



The same magazine as the last image, just a further to the left, the scrappers were terrible at work here.



One the SE side of the long passageway are 1 set of steps, 2 vertical hoisting shafts and a couple of small rooms. This is one of the two hoisting shafts.



Close-up, upwards, of one of the hoisting shafts.



A good shot of the long passageway, left, NW, are all the magazines; right, SE, are the vertical hoisting shafts and where John is standing is the set of step going up to the ammo handling area.



These are the steps going to the open gun area and they start right at where the long tunnel reaches the Battery Greer.



Well, here is where that famous long tunnel enters Battery Greer. We are standing in front of the steps in the last two images. I measure the tunnel about 550 feet long by the scale of the 1921 drawing.



Another grand view down the long passageway from near the tunnel entrance. Only now do I notice the dirt coming out of that door way at right. I failed to look at that but maybe it was another way to the gun controls which I consider to be on the 4th level.



This time 1 out of 15 didn't upload.

[sherwino]

hey, Karl. I'm just curious why is the floor on picture number 4 carved like that?