Abandoned Purpose by auntietk
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Description
Completed in 1910, commissioned in 1912, guns dismounted in 1944.
Imagine this place when it was up and running, an active link in the Coastal Artillery defence system for Puget Sound. 1913, 1917, 1922, 1928, 1935, 1939, 1942 ... an active military post through all those years.
The walls would have been clean, painted, sharp. No weeds in the gun emplacements. Orders being called down through tubes from the Battery Control Station. Men running to obey those orders. Moving shells, loading guns, taking readings, adjusting sights, firing practice rounds out into the Strait. No live ammunition ... there was never an enemy out there to shoot at.
Did the officers ever bring chairs out to the roof of the Battery and sit in the afternoon sunshine? Did the rank and file ever lounge on the stairs, smoking cigarettes in their off-duty moments?
So many drills, so much practice, but nothing ever happened.
You'd have to be crazy to attack the cities of Puget Sound by sea ... it's a dead end.
Look again. Imagine what it was like. Can you hear their footsteps on the concrete? Hear the echo of their voices? Feel the reverberation of the 12" guns?
For all its military purpose, all those years of readiness, of practice rounds splashing into the water, Battery Kinzie is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
Comments (35)
Chipka
What a gorgeous image! I love the sepia tones as well; they really do bring out that sense of passing time, past time, and even something truly ancient. I thought of amphitheater seating when I saw those rounded stairs, and I heard a Greek Chorus off in the distance. I love it when my signals get crossed like that, and a good image always crosses my signals, but that's never a bad thing; zillions of story ideas live within mix ups like that. But I'm rambling. I tend to do that! Oh well. I do love this picture, however, and it's one that I know I'll return to again and again! Super stuff! Great information too, you evoke the place as it lived, and so in many ways, it lives again. Marvelous!
beachzz
I think of these kinds of things a lot when I wander around abandoned places. Who was there, what did they do? Sometimes I think I can hear them, but it's probably just the wind. Beautiful shot, the curve of those steps is a wonderful contrast to the empty, overgrown spaces around it.
Faemike55
If the walls could talk, what would they say? Great capture and treatment of the image! Excellent
barbdennist
Whenever I see an old run down home, barn, etc., I always pause and wonder what it was like when it was new and I try to imagine the joy of the owners. This photo evokes many the same thoughts, thanks to your wonderful narration.
bazza
Great capture it certainly gives one plenty to think about.. fantastic!!
Katraz
I love the sepia effect it gives atmosphere to the shot, there are places like this around the UK coast but they were well used.
durleybeachbum
"The submarine travels to an abandoned naval installation in Seattle, where a crewman sent onto land with oxygen tanks and protective gear discovers that, although the city's residents have long since perished in the fallout, some of the region's hydroelectric power is still on-line, owing to the primitive automation technology available at that time. The mysterious signal is the result of a broken window sash teetering in the breeze and occasionally hitting a telegraph key." Like Chip I thought amphitheatre, but also immediately of Shute's 'On the Beach'. Marvellous pic, and I should so like to see some sort of performance there.
Meisiekind
Ooeee - what a splendid combination of lines, light and shadows! You have such a wonderful eye for these elements Dierbaar! Most pleasing image! Ek mis jou soooo baie!
lyron
Cool shot!!
stick
Excellent picture. With a little work this would make a nice memorial.
helanker
AWWW I love that building with the staircase and the windows... !! A wonderful capture Tara !!!
BessieB
An excellent shot, I always find these places fascinating
blinkings
I love old abandoned buildings. For me, I much prefer it the way you have photographed it than how it must of been way back then. It must have been a scary place, especially if you ever happened to be shot at! The weeds seem to be helping Mother Nature restore the balance.
DananJaya_Chef
Beautiful shot.
Bothellite
Going down into the dark parts of the place creeps you out. It does look like some kind of prison. Great shot and it speaks of many things.
SoulEatar
Don't remind me I am always hear something that someone else say is not there ! - Cool Photog !
flavia49
outstanding image and work!!
debbielove
This looks cool in black n white! I like it.. The pit is for a gun of some size by the look of it.. See, I know! lol Fabulous shot Tara! Thanks for your rave comment on my aircraft picture.. Well floor picture actually! lol. If you took the plane away though, all those great shadows and colours would be gone.. shame huh? Rob
jmb007
bonne photo!
hipps13
but so many thouughts run around up and down wonderful capture, Tara May warm hugs, Linda Kaye
bmac62
Like how you have taken us back in time and given us a glimpse of how life used to be in Battery Kinzie. Your modern day image is perfect as an update...what happens when a property becomes abandoned...:)
moochagoo
Love that kind of view. Excellent mood.
Dreamingbee
fascinating place , shot and presentation
RodS
Yes, one can almost hear the ghosts of the not so distant past. The sepia effect really enhances the historic feel of this. Outstanding photo, Tara!
emmecielle
Wonderful shot! I like sepia tone! :)
CoreyBlack
Wow! This is great. The photo and text are so evocative. As a history buff and archivist this really grabs me. I've also had military in the family and remember visiting the PX at several diferent bases when I was a little kid. I can definitely see the world you're describing here. As for the fate of this installation, does the term "military intelligence" mean anything to you?
goodoleboy
Abandoned purpose, like looking for the missing sock in the dryer. Interesting photo and historical narrative.
babuci
Great read and a very powerful composition. Well done!
awjay
nice choice of tint
lucindawind
amazing colour tone and POV !