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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 5:41:56 GMT 8
When the Japanese had Corregidor they tried to get as much scrape metal off the island using American and Filipino prisoners as possible. They took all the rolling stock from the trolley system, all the rails from the island, the old ammo, etc.
If it was metal, and they could get it onto a boat, it was shipped to Japan to make guns, bullets etc. (a large cannon barrel still rests on Bottomside not far from North Dock)
A test........
Where was the cannon barrel from?
The Japanese also took a Mortar from Corregidor............ Where did it come from on Corregidor? Where did they leave it? Where is it now?
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Post by fots2 on Jul 19, 2008 9:50:47 GMT 8
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Post by The Phantom on Jul 20, 2008 3:13:40 GMT 8
Your guess is as good as mine John on where they came from on Corregidor. You are probably right. I know I read it somewhere also but forget. The pictures are great! The old cannon on the dock is a favorite spot to toss down a Scotch or two in the cool evening breeze.
What about the Mortar John, the second part of the question, any ideas?
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Post by fots2 on Jul 20, 2008 5:14:49 GMT 8
Good day Mr. Phantom; The only story I have heard regarding that mortar came from EXO. Where did it come from on Corregidor? Battery GearyWhere did they leave it? on the dock in ManilaWhere is it now? never seen againIf anyone has any details it would be nice to know what happened. John P.S. If I ever see anyone enjoying the cool breeze on the North Dock some evening, I'll come say hello
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Post by The Phantom on Jul 22, 2008 1:43:07 GMT 8
Paul drinks Bourbon, I prefer Scotch, see you there John. San Miguel at Mac Arthur's, cold or warm, depending on their access to power that day.
Any other answers on the Mortar? It still exits, was not left on North Dock............But is not now where it was left by the Japanese.
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Post by fots2 on Jul 22, 2008 2:56:49 GMT 8
I guess 'only the Phantom knows for sure' ;D
I give up...
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Post by batteryboy on Aug 13, 2008 17:59:55 GMT 8
When the Japanese had Corregidor they tried to get as much scrape metal off the island using American and Filipino prisoners as possible. They took all the rolling stock from the trolley system, all the rails from the island, the old ammo, etc. If it was metal, and they could get it onto a boat, it was shipped to Japan to make guns, bullets etc. (a large cannon barrel still rests on Bottomside not far from North Dock) A test........ Where was the cannon barrel from? The Japanese also took a Mortar from Corregidor............ Where did it come from on Corregidor? Where did they leave it? Where is it now? Tom, Here are my two centavos worth on your query: 12-inch barrel near the church - from Cheney (as it was said) and I second John on that. 8-inch barrel at North Dock - from Battery RJ-43 but originally it came from Bataan. There was another 8-inch gun at Saysaiin Pt. the reason why it was transferred to Corregidor was that the second concrete emplacement had some construction problems so it was shipped to Corregidor instead. Of the 12-inch mortars in Corregidor, two are missing from Battery Geary (Pit A) which were two (2) of the 1890 12-inch mortars are missing. One was being loaded to a wooden barge to be scrapped but the tremendous weight of the mortar was to much so it was said to have pierced thru the wooden hull and sank (the barge with it as well). The other mortar tube was found here: At the banks of the PASIG River in Manila!!! You can see the M1890 12-inch Mortar tube and a recoild cylinder of a 3-inch AA gun beside it. FWIW, Tony
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Post by The Phantom on Aug 14, 2008 4:43:43 GMT 8
First, excellent picture Tony. I had seen that photo somewhere before, a book, or Paul's web site. Great information all, thanks.
The picture tells a lot. The Battery Geary Mortar in the picture was near Fort Santiago, on the banks of the Pasig river. As Tony said, the Japanese where trying to take it back to Japan to make war materials from it's steel. Escolta is across the Pasig. I believe the American's just crossed the Pasig to take Intramuros back from the Japanese when they found themselves passing a bit of Corregidor without knowing it. I'm sure that was the least of their worries.
I was standing on the forts east parapet last February when I spied the new Taxi boat landing and nicely gardened area around it. The boat landing was created near the outside wall of Fort Santiago for the new River Taxi plying the Pasig River. (A much faster way to get around to certain sections on Manila, especially for the college students I've read. Air conditioned and windows up.........)
I wondered what had happened to the old Mortar, as it had been in the area that was renovated. I thought the worst.
My question was answered as I was leaving the fort. I had just crossed the moat bridge and spied the mortar along the road. It is located along the road, in front of some bombed out buildings just before all the tourist shops, which are set up inside the old Fort walls.
I saw the mortar and shook my head as I imagined how history was being rewritten and no one would know the difference.
The Battery Geary mortar is anonymously laying on the ground inside Fort Santiago with a motley variety of unnamed bombs and guns, spanning the many conflicts the fort has seen come and go in it's long history.
What should happen to it? Back to Corregidor? Or at least a sign telling it's story to the many visitors of Fort Santiago, and tying it in with Corregidor. Then maybe visitors will be enticed to take the trip to Corregidor to see where it came from? Thinking out loud...........
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Post by batteryboy on Aug 14, 2008 9:53:42 GMT 8
Hi, Did you happen to take a photo of the "mortar" inside Fort Santiago. Also take note that there were also a few Spanish 8-inch muzzle loading guns that from a far, looks similar to the appearance of a 12-inch mortar tube. One can still be seen within the old walls of Fort San Antonio Abad (now the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas). Below is a photo reference of the gun: 8-inch Spanish muzzle loading guns being dismantled at Batteria Puerticillo, Corregidor Island c1900s. Let me know your thoughts on this. Cheers, Tony
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Post by The Phantom on Aug 15, 2008 5:37:08 GMT 8
After examining your 2 photos, it appears the jury may still be out on the mortar being originally from Corregidor or another location. The mortar I saw this February, 2008, I had not seen in Fort Santiago in 2007. I don't recall seeing any type of Spanish mortar anywhere inside Fort Santiago that looked like the ones in your second picture, but I didn't know they existed.
The mortar I saw looked more like one from Battery Geary, Corregidor, not like the Spanish type in your second photo, but I have no photo to compare it to at this time.
Knowing the Corregidor mortar was outside the walls of the fort in 1945, (see Tony's photo), and that that area has been recently renovated, I'm afraid I assumed it was the mortar the Japanese took from Corregidor and left on the banks of the Pasig.
So the thread continues in the interest of accuracy........
Your next time in Manila's Intramuros area Tony, a quick look? Otherwise, something else to look into in 2009.
Thanks for your knowledgeable input Tony. I really must take more pictures.....
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