
		
		
		Finding the Fire Control Station on Cochinos Point was one of our trip 
		objectives. Due to security guards near a 'someday to be built' resort, 
		our only access to this Point was via boat. Arrangements had already 
		been made so on the second day off we went.
		
		
		This Fire Control Station which faced the South China Sea served as 
		another set of eyes for the harbour defenses of Manila Bay. We did not 
		know its exact location but Glen Williford of the CDSG provided a 
		probable description of the station. He said:The 
		station would be an 8-foot square 'cube', buried up to the slot which 
		runs along the seaward side. Probably entry through a manhole-like cover 
		directly on top, but maybe a step-down into a rear entry door. In any 
		event much won't be sticking above ground, particularly from the rear 
		where it would be mostly flush to the ground level.
		
		
		The most likely location for such a station is where you can see the 
		best. The highest hills on top of the Point would be looked at first. As 
		it turned out, the station was easy to find plus we also came across two 
		other structures.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Cochinos Point is located at the western side of the entrance to 
		Mariveles Harbour. (Google Earth photo)
		
		
		
		
		
		View of Cochinos Point taken from the opposite side of Mariveles 
		Harbour.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Using the GPS software again, here is the location of the three 
		structures we found that day. (1) The Fire Control Station known as B IV 
		3, (2) a small nearby building I labelled as Quarters and (3) Datum 
		Point 7. (Google Earth photo)
		
		
		
		
		
		Leaving the dock in Mariveles we can see Cochinos Point in the distance.
		
		
		Due to many cliffs along the point, we were uncertain of how to find the 
		easiest route to the top. We got lucky with our first stop. It was steep 
		with little to hold onto but not dangerous. Within minutes we were up 
		there heading for the higher ground.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		This is the view back towards Mariveles from where we landed. The old 
		volcano, Mount Mariveles, is on the horizon.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		On top of the point looking directly 
		across Mariveles Bay.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Looking SE along Cochinos Point. Corregidor Island is to the left and La 
		Monja Island is straight ahead.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		This is the view looking across Cochinos Point SW to the South China 
		Sea.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Looking inland (NW), here is high ground that we checked out first.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Here it is. Nearly hidden among the grass and bushes is the Fire Control 
		Station.
		
		
		A bit later Karl and his bolo attacked the vegetation so we could get a 
		good look at the station. Glen's expectations of what we would see were 
		very accurate. The roof is missing but all four walls still remain. The 
		seaward side with the large viewing area is oriented south. There is no 
		doorway but as Glen mentioned, I can see remnants of a steel ladder in a 
		rear corner. Access was via the top down the rear wall.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Side view of the station. The seaward side is to the right. The large 
		viewing area included half of both adjacent walls. The ladder was on the 
		rear wall at the top left corner.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		Standing above the rear wall, looking 
		seaward.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Side view of the station. The seaward side is to the right. The large 
		viewing area included half of both adjacent walls. The ladder was on the 
		rear wall at the top left corner.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Great views up here. It is hot but the strong breeze feels good.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		From the Fire Control Station another hill can be seen. We can see 
		concrete on it too. Note the concrete directly in front of us.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		We didn't bother cleaning this out. It has four low concrete walls and a 
		broken concrete floor. My guess is it was quarters for the station 
		personnel. It is located below the top of the hill just 37 meters from 
		the Fire Control Station.
		
		
		On the second hill the concrete we saw turned out to be four pedestals. 
		The site looked like it had been for a radio tower. Later I received 
		information from a friend saying that the four concrete pedestals are 
		mounting blocks for 'Datum Point 7'. This may have been in the form of a 
		beacon i.e. a metal frame work supporting a steel post with a target on 
		top. This would have then been visible from Corregidor and used as a 
		known reference point for surveys and map making.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		Two of the four pedestals at the top of 
		the hill.
		
		
		
		
		Time to enjoy the scenery. A freighter 
		leaves Manila Bay.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		Looking further up the coast, here are 
		two of the "Points". 
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		A closer view of Talaga Point in the foreground and Hornos Point behind 
		it.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		Looking back towards Mariveles.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		This land bridge prevents the Point from 
		becoming an island. 
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Time to head back. I am on the Datum Point hill looking back to the hill 
		where the Fire Control Station is located. Above the it you can see 
		Corregidor Island. La Monja Island is to the right. This photo gives you 
		a view all the way across Manila Bay, you can just make out the hills of 
		Cavite.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		At the top of the grassy slope where we will go descend to the beach.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Our ride back to Mariveles waits below.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		The hillside levels out a bit but you still have to be careful of 
		tripping over rocks hidden in the grass.
		
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		Almost at the beach.
		
		
		After returning to Mariveles, we had an afternoon left so we headed 
		towards the coast west of there. We visited a little village at Biaan 
		Bay and later walked the trails overlooking Longos Kawayan Point. The 
		'Battle of the Points' had been fought in this area. These images are on 
		the following page.