A battery for two 10 inch disappearing guns, Grubbs is located well inland in the west central part of the island, firing towards the northwest sector . Unlike  the other batteries, the atmosphere changes markedly as you approach Grubbs through a Spanish-style arch at the road's end. It had the 10 inch guns emplaced in the Manila Harbor defenses. Work was done from November 1907 to early 1909.  The Battery was completed for transfer on 2 February 1911 at a cost to Uncle Sam of $212, 397.88.

The 10 inch guns were Model 1895M1 guns on Model 1901 disappearing carriages (Watervliet #25 / #14 and #22 / #16).  These were apparently never changed during the service life of the Battery.

 

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Grubbs was not manned at the start of WW2,  and it was not until the transfer of Battery C of the 91st Coastal Artillery from Morrison in early April 1942 that the Number 2 gun could be put into action.  The Number 1 gun had suffered some mechanical failures and  had never been commissioned. On 11 April, an aerial bomb hit the power plant, and put the battery out of service. Five days later a direct hit took out the number 2 gun, and also destroyed the Battery Commander's station, and the Battery was abandoned. 

 

The Japanese apparently attempted to restore the Battery into a useable state, but before they could complete the work, the US bombardment of the island in 1945 heavily damaged the installation.  

Sunset from Battery Grubbs
 

 

Unfortunately for the purposes of posterity, President Clinton visited Corregidor not too long ago and the battery suffered from a coat of paint and the installation of handrails. There are some things that really should be left to appear that they are rusting in peace. Is it right to "pretty-up" the wreckage of history with cans of jungle-green paint?

The Battery commemorated Lt. Hayden K. Grubbs of the 6th US Cavalry who died during what used to be known as the Philippine Insurrection in 1899. ( I now understand that as the result of discussions held between the respective  governments, the "Insurrection" is hereinafter to be referred to as a War.)

 

 

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Last Updated: 08/07/08