Cockburn Town in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Overseas Territories — North Atlantic Ocean
U.S. Naval Facility
Grand Turk
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2011
1. U.S. Naval Facility Marker
Known officially as the U.S. Facility for Oceanographic Research, the base was established to improve knowledge of oceanographic and acoustic conditions. The U.S. had found during World War II a need to improve knowledge of ocean conditions in order to better deal with enemy submarines. After the establishment of the facility, U.S. atomic submarines frequently sailed off Grand Turk.
Another U.S. facility, the Guided Missle Base, was constructed on the island's southern end at around the same time. The number of American personnel and families resident in the island at one time exceeded three hundred.
On March 31, 1980, the U.S. Facility for Oceanographic Research was officially closed and turned over to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. The facility currently serves as the Grand Turk Community College.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is March 2006.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Trouvadore Shipwreck (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse Keeper's Residence & Bermuda Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Turk: The Original Columbus Landfall? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Northeast Reef (within shouting distance of this marker); Horatio Nelson Lookout Point (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Grand Turk Historic Lighthouse (about 90 meters away); a different marker also named Grand Turk Historic Lighthouse (about 120 meters away); The History of the West (approx. 4.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cockburn Town.
Other markers no longer nearby. Grand Turk: The Original Columbus Landfall? (was about 90 meters away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Grand Turk Historic Lighthouse (was about 90 meters away but has been replaced with another marker now near it);
Photographed by Donald Barry Ratsch, circa 1958
2. U.S. Naval Facility 1958 at the gate
That's me at the watch gate while waiting for my clearance to come thru. After clearance came thru I worked down the hill in the Quonset hut where the sonar men worked and with their advanced equipment could detect Russian submarines 1500 miles away and could tell how many rpms their propellers were turning. When spotting a target they put the info and location of the target thru a slot that dropped into the crypto room where I worked and we encrypted the information and sent it forward to Norfolk, Va. The work was classified secret at the time and was later upgraded to top secret. That was 56 years ago.
Regarding U.S. Naval Facility. Historically, the term hydrography has meant the scientific study of the physical conditions of systems of water. Within the field of physical oceanography, hydrography is the branch of our field which looks to understand the movements of the ocean through its measurable physical properties, including: temperature, salinity, and oxygen, and
chemical constituents such as phosphates, silicates, **CFC's, tritium and helium. ( Oregon State University )
**chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 11, 2011
3. U.S. Naval Facility Marker with abandoned buildings seen in background
Photographed by Max Henke
4. View From The Lighthouse
The base then.
Photographed by Max Henke
5. Sign At Entrance
Back then.
Photographed by Max Henke, 1957
6. As it Was in 1957
Main Entrance
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 11, 2011
7. U.S. Naval Facility seen from Lighthose Road
Photographed by Bobby G. Bristoe, circa 1979
8. Panorama of NAVFAC Grand Turk In full Operation
Photographed by AGS Media, October 23, 2008
9. U.S. Naval Facility Satellite Dish
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 11, 2011
10. U.S. Naval Facility out buildings long ago abandoned
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 11, 2011
11. U.S. Naval Facility
Photographed by AGS Media, October 23, 2008
12. Turks & Caicos Islands Community College, Grand Turk Campus Entance
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 7,139 times since then and 214 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on November 11, 2014, by Donald Barry Ratsch of Dundalk, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Max Henke of Topsham, Maine. 7. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on March 18, 2011, by Bobby G. Bristoe of Bloomington, Indiana. 9. submitted on June 4, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 10, 11. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 12. submitted on June 4, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida.
