CABRILLO Historic Structures Report

Figure 20. These structures are accessed through hatchways or observation slots.

LOWER BASE-END STATION AT BILLY GOAT POINT (Battery White Base-End Station) (Preservation)

Location

This structure is located on the east side of Point Loma overlooking San Diego Bay. Situated below the Bayside Trail, it is the lower of a pair, with the upper structure located on Navy property.

History

The lower of two stations at Billy Goat Point, this structure was first associated with Batteries Whistler and White. Constructed between 1916-1921, this station was part of a remote network which tracked targets and relayed the data to their associated guns via a plotting room. Observers in these stations used sophisticated instruments to collect data which improved the system of aiming for the coastal guns. Originally temporary-type structures, by WWI concrete walls and tar and gravel roofs provided permanence. During WWII the tar and gravel roofs were replaced with earth covered rough aggregate concrete roofs. Cemented boulders on the roof provided additional camouflage. This station was modified in 1925, 1928 and 1934. The station was unassigned after October 1942, when Batteries Whistler and White were decommissioned. The San Diego Urban Corps stabilized the structure in 1993. Accessed from the Bayside Trail, the station remains closed to the public.

Description

Exterior

This structure is virtually identical to the base-end station and battery commander station for batteries Calef and Wilkeson, and the base-end station for Battery McGrath (figure 20). The roof edge boulders embedded in concrete, the steel window shutters and the access hatch have all been painted.

Interior

The interior is similar to that of the base-end station and battery commander station for batteries Calef and Wilkeson and to the base-end station for Battery McGrath. The interior features a vertical raceway on the west wall descending into a corner cable pit; raceways along the bottom of the south and east walls; a low, concrete, octagonal base for a depression position finder; miscellaneous conduit attachments and an octagonal concrete azimuth instrument stand (figure 21).

Condition

Exterior

The concrete walls are cracked and spalled, particularly near the entry hatch and at the southeast corner. Exposed, rusting reinforcing steel has created corrosion jacking at this corner, where the structure is literally crumbling and in critical condition. Square reinforcing rod and the power cable wrapping (copper and lead treated with gutta percha) are visible at this corner. The camouflaged roof edges have missing stones, causing corrosion of exposed steel reinforcing bars. The support for the front shutter collapsed, and the shutter, although no longer in place, remains on site. Excessive vegetation covers the roof.

Interior

Due to the remote location, this structure has suffered from illegal entry and vandalism. The concrete interior walls are covered with graffiti and corrosion stains. Electrical, metal and wooden features are either vandalized or missing from their original locations. Evidence suggests that missing wood interior components were used as firewood. The cable pit in the southwest corner was used as a fire pit. Two broken metal observation slot shutters were found inside on the floor. The walls feature several concrete spalls: spalls caused by rusted ferrous metal near the concrete surface; minor spalls at metal attachments; and severe spalling at the southeast corner opening. Minor hairline cracks are present in both the southeast and northwest corners.

Structural Analysis

Similar to the base-end station and battery commander station for batteries Calef and Wilkeson, and the base-end station for Battery McGrath, the spalled concrete and exposed reinforcing rod at the front and side areas of the roof appear to be a consequence of casting the large stones into the face for camouflage. This spalling affects the anchors which support the steel shutters (several of these connections have already failed and the shutters are missing). The cracks and spalls at the interior concrete surfaces are relatively minor and do not at this time appear to compromise the structure's capacity.

Figure 21. Electrical box debris and graffiti are the results of inactivity and vandalism.