U.S. NAVAL TRAINING CENTER BAINBRIDGE MD: 03/10

3/03/2010

USNTC Bainbridge Barracks

USNTC Bainbridge -- The typical recruit barracks, an excellent view of the fire escape, simply a ladder like structure, men would exit through the windows onto these ladders. In later years, doors and stairs at the end of the building would be added to improve the fire escape system (undoubtedly a concession to peace time building codes). Designed by architectural firm of Eggers and Higgins, (the new design named the B-2) the new barracks design adopted a two story rectangular plan with dimensions of 42 x 150 ft, and were each capable of quartering 250 sailors (232 seamen & 18 petty officers). Three rows of 20 bunks and lockers lined the upper and ground floor open dormitory bays. The long rows of ribbon windows proved to be especially useful for ventilating the barracks in the summer heat and stifling humidity common the Bainbridge geographic area. Observe the recruit mowing the grass with a push type reel mower. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Recruit barracks 418, an excellent view of the typical recruit barracks, 25 barracks situated around each of 4 drill fields were designed to house 20,000 men total, 5000 men in each regiment. Notice the door at the far left front, this door was to the coal fired furnace (boiler) room. Also visible is the coal chute opening on the end of the building where coal would be shoveled or dumped onto/into a chute and slid down into the furnace room. The furnace room was only accessible from the outside and sealed off from the living quarters to keep the coal and ash dust from traveling throughout the barracks. Who fired these boilers, brought the coal and removed the ashes? My guess is roving crews from the base Ship's Service department. What a nasty job that must have been. -- UPDATE -- Stumbled upon a message board post where the poster stated he spent 2 years in the early 1950's at Bainbridge doing just that. "Was stationed at Bainbridge Md. firing boilers for the heat and hot water in the barracks for two years....." ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Recruit Barracks Floor Plan ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Barracks 517, Service School Command Radioman barracks. The service school barracks share the same basic design as the recruit barracks with the exception that dormitories were placed at both ends of the building and the fire escapes were doors and stairs at the building's end walls instead of the trellis ladder type fire escapes on the recruit barracks. The service schools barracks could accommodate nearly 500 persons. I was housed in the barracks just below this one, these barracks were essentially not unlike a big chicken house. About as basic as human habitation as is possible. Spent the winter of 1960-1961 in one of these uninsulated barracks yet have no memories of being uncomfortable, the steam heat system must have been well designed. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Camp Perry Second Regiment just finished Recruit Barracks 224 April 1943. Over the years many of the trees between the barracks would be removed. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge, Maryland -- The actual location on the base of this photograph snapped in 1964 and simply labeled "1964 Bainbridge Autumn Colors" was somewhat difficult to ascertain. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Navy Exchange Cafeteria looking down on three 600 series barracks. Straightforward the distance is buildings in the fire fighting training area, to the left is a partial view of the lowermost part of the hospital wards. To the right (not shown except for a shadow) would be the mess hall Building 602. My assumption is the 13 barracks in the 600 numbered series housed personnel that worked in the record keeping departments stationed at Bainbridge in the 1960's. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge, Maryland -- This photo is representative of some of the best photos of Bainbridge, a real life image capturing an important time in one person's life.

This 1974 photo by Carol Weir looks out Bainbridge Avenue towards the commissary, warehouse and rear gate area.

Straightforward the distance are four recruit barracks of the Fourth Regiment Camp Barney, the furthermost is barracks # 418.
To the left is a barracks housing ship's service personnel.
Of course there is a good view of the prominent base icon, the water tower.
Drill Hall 401 would be just behind Carol's back across Bainbridge Ave. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge, Maryland -- Another nice 1964 fall/winter image on Scott Road in front of Administration and EPDOCONUS Bldg. 601 looking towards the 600 Series barracks where the Waves and PAMI COMUS personnel were billeted.
The brick building is Building 720 where PAMICOMUS computer equipment was installed. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Recruit Barracks photo from 1954 Compass book. Notice smoke rising from the chimney, it appears each barracks still maintained its own coal fired heating system. Again observe the ladder like "decoration" at the ends of the barracks, these were actually fire escape ladders. Wonder if any recruits can recall fire drills employing these ladders? ▼

USNTC Bainbridge MD -- Photographs

USNTC Bainbridge -- Main Entrance Gate Sign ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Main Gate April 28, 1943 ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Main Entrance Gate early 1950's.
The Navy Exchange Building and the CPO Club just up the street are the two buildings visible in this image. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Rear Entrance. View of Power House, Warehouses and Ship's Company Barracks April 28, 1943. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Amphitheater/Theater under construction, April 28, 1943. Notice all the chimneys in this photograph, buildings were individually heated with coal until the base reopened for the Korean War when a central steam system was installed. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Amphitheater/Base Theater Under Construction. April 28, 1943

Bricklayers can be seen high up on scaffolding bringing the chimney up to final height for the auditorium building. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Amphitheater Easter Services Circa 1960's
The bleachers and some of the benches were still on the hill when I walked the base in 2004, evoking visions of crowds that once gathered there.
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USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Amphitheater/Base Theater nearing completion in 1943.

"A prominent feature of the Bainbridge Naval Training Station was an outdoor theater seating 10,000, built in conjunction with the auditorium building as of the central recreation group. The stage of the theater was built as an integral part of the stage of the auditorium. The seats were arranged in amphitheater style, on ground which had been terraced and graded." ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Theater from the rear of Fire Control Technician School. Circa 1960's. Notice the rows of seating lining the hill of the amphitheater.

The two buildings off in the distance are barracks in the 4th Regiment recruit training Camp Barney. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Theater again from the rear of Fire Control Technician School. Circa 1960's. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- View of Base Theater in May of 1982
Bainbridge closed in 1976, yet in only six years the growth of vegetation is beginning to take over a magnificent place.
I walked down into the bleacher area in 2004, vegetation was so thick I was nearly run over by two deer that I had startled (was looking for snakes).
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USNTC Bainbridge -- Base Theater/Amphitheater as it appeared in the September 1943 issue of The Architectural Forum magazine.
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USNTC Bainbridge -- Base Theater/Amphitheater judging by the foliage and dress whites, Summer 1943.
The audience is recruit companies probably being entertained by the base band which is getting an opportunity to practice in front of an audience.
Boots are even setting in the front row chair seating normally reserved for officers. These front row chairs were later replaced by park bench style seating
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USNTC Bainbridge -- Another excellent view of the Amphitheater/Base Theater.
Date unknown, but most likely late 1950's - early 1960's judging from the models of automobiles in the image.
The end of the building with the open door off in the distance was one of the Bachelor Officers Quarters (BOQ) .
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USNTC Bainbridge -- Amphitheater/Base Theater during World War II.
The sign on stage encourages buying war bonds.

The building visible to the right is the back of the Fire Controlman School or the Fire Control Technician School as it became known in the 50's and 60's..
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USNTC Bainbridge -- Amphitheater/Base Theater as it is today.
The arcs of wooden bleachers are still visible amongst the vegetation. The park bench style officer's seating nearer the stage is mostly gone, pilfered no doubt.

To the lower right is a metal frame building stripped of its roofing sheeting. This building is probably the Special Services Division's Horse Stable, a 1960's addition where about 20 horses were available for riding.
The barn's location in a previously very wooded area and metal frame construction likely indicates this was the horse stables. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- One of the nicest photos of the base looking down Bainbridge Avenue. Circa 1960's. In the very upper left a few recruit barracks of the second regiment are visible. The 2nd regiment recruit barracks were not being used in the 1960's since the last male recruit company had graduated in 1957.

The Navy Exchange Building 619 is partially visible in lower left of photo.
The Chief Petty Officer's Club is the next building up Bainbridge Avenue.
The St. Paul's Chapel is in the lower center of picture, to the right of the chapel is the parking lot for the Fiddler's Green Enlisted Men's Club. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Yeoman's School, April 28, 1943. Notice all the construction stakes out on Bainbridge Avenue. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Yeoman's School (foreground) and Radioman School. Circa 1956. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administration Building, April 28, 1943. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administration Building Circa 1954 ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administration Building 720 in 1955 ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administration Building -- Addition. Photo date unknown (air conditioners in windows indicate mid '60's up. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administraion Building Annex, Lower end view from Evans Street (street theater is on). Pami Conus occupied the building at time of this image, Pami Conus was located in Bainbridge from 1959 to 1976. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administraion Building Annex, Front view circa 1973. Pami Conus occupied the building at time of this image, Pami Conus was located in Bainbridge from 1959 to 1976. ▼

USNTC Bainbridge -- Administraion Building Annex, Rear View, Fire Drill 1973. Pami Conus occupied the building at time of this image, Pami Conus was located in Bainbridge from 1959 to 1976.
Photo appears to have been snapped from the Pami Comus Barracks just across the street.
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