As a child, I was always fascinated by this structure which we would invariably pass during trips to the beach or to Coronado....
I used to think it was a skeleton of a circus ring but knew it wasn't since it was too large. The real purpose was a mystery to me until a few weeks ago when I read a recent article in the SD U-T which shed more light on what is officially known as the Wullenwebber Antenna Array. Set on private, military owned land known as the Naval Radio Receiving Facility, civilians like us could only view this from afar. The "closest" I ever got to it was still a ways off; I was staying overnight at nearby Camp Surf with students for a camping trip.
Yesterday morning, Bert and I thought we would check it out before it's eventual upcoming deconstruction. There was a small spot to park on the side of the road where we had a great view of the "elephant cage".
The antenna was used to provide direction finding primary communication links for US Navy Subs. I should ask my dad if he ever knew about this since he used to be a submariner.
According to the article, T[the facility received the Wullenwebber Circular Disposed Antenna Array in 1965. It was the last of its type to be built and ceased operations in 1999. Apparently, there are many of these all around the world in such strategic places such Guam, the Philippines (military spots in the Pacific), along with Italy, the UK and Canada.
One of the commenters of the UT article disputed the year of the antenna's origin, saying that her husband was stationed there in 1956 and worked on that project. Interesting! A few folks consider this Cold War relic an eyesore and want it torn down as well.
(Bayside view with Mount Miguel in the distant background)
More info:
See the location via wikimapia and learn more about The Silver Strand Training Complex, along with this great aerial view from someone's Pinterest page and a more detailed look at it's technical aspects...
Here is the article that explains its purpose:
"Navy's mysterious 'elephant cage' retired" SD Union-Tribune, September 3, 2014
plus another recent article from The Coronado Patch:
"The US Navy will demolish the Wullenwebber Antenna Array in Coronado", September 15, 2014
and an earlier article detailing the "work order" to demolish the structure:
"Work Notice - Demolition of Wullenweber...", NavyRegionSouthwest, September 2, 2014
It's kind of sad that they will tear most of it down, but the military still plans to leave up several panels for historical purposes. The circular structure is one of the South Bay's landmarks and it will be odd not seeing it in its entirety.
4 comments:
At last!
You have solved old mystery for me! I always ALWAYS wondered what that place was!
When I was a kid I always confused it with the Bull Ring in TJ (kids are easily confused).
My dad thought it might be some kind of radio loop of some kind, but couldn't figure out why it was a ring.
Thank you for looking this up and solving the mystery!
Hello RM! Hey, if it weren't for that article, I would have never known what that thing was! It was neat to learn about it after wondering what it was all these years.
Such an interesting relic of the Cold War!
Jake and I passed this "circle thing" (that's what I called it, too) and I think I commented wondering what it was and Jake told me it was some kind of radio thing but I didn't believe him! And then I read the UT article and I was like, "oh, Jake was right" hahah. Mysteries solved!
Hi Mary - I was so glad I saw that article. I would have been wondering forever, haha. "circle thing".
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