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? ▼
