FORT COLLINS
During the course of 1976 it was decided, as an exercise, to investigate
whether it would be possible to reactivate the old 10 centimetre radar
station situated on top of Karbonkelberg. The station had not been used
since 1949. This station was the very first centimetric radar station
built in South Africa and its primary function was to provide data to the
various gun batteries in the Table Bay area - notably Apostle Battery,
Robin Island Battery and even the 9.2 inch guns in the Simonstown batteries
should they have been required to fire across the mountain into Table Bay.
It replaced an older 50cm low powered station built in the early part of the
war and was operational by 1944. It's secondary purpose was the detection
of enemy submarines off the coast. It had a range of approximately 65
nautical miles and could detect ships as far north as Saldanha Bay and as
far East as Hermanus.
The powers that be dispatched 7 specialists to the station. They were 2
Electronicians, 1 Mechanician, 1 Electrician, 2 Shipwrights and a technical
officer in general charge. It was estimated that approximately 14 days would
be needed to get the station working and the buildings repaired.
The Navy Arrives!
Looking South from the Engine House
To reach Fort Collins an arduous and extremely difficult track had to be
negotiated - 4 wheel drives only. In less than a kilometre one climbed to
650 metres.
On reaching the station it was found that although the barracks accomodation
was in poor repair most of the technical equipment was in good condition,
being housed in concrete bunkers helped.
Three Lister-Blackstone 6 cylinder diesels provided power - and they started
on the very first swing of the handle.
The diesels
This allowed power to be switched to the switchboard and from there to the
radar itself. No electrical problems were detected at this stage.
The Switchboards
The radar itseld fired up first go - and the antenna started turning.
Immediately we could see, on the PPI display, a magnificent radar picture
of the entire Cape area.
The Radar itself was a very powerful set for it's day - the magnetron was so
heavy that it took two men to lift it! We dubbed the station "Tranquility
Base" because it looked a bit like the NASA Lunar Excursion Module.
The Radar Station
The view from up there is quite extraordinary. The view down the other side
looks upon Sandy Bay. One day some of us lecherous sailors climbed down
(4 hours there and 4 hours back) to go and ogle the unclad ladies.
Looking South from the Radar Station
Having discharged our task within 1 day of arrival we proceeded to enjoy
a 13 day holiday at the taxpayers expense! We had a braai every night with
cans of cheap white wine to wash the meat and pap down!
Braai
It was one of the most pleasant interludes of my entire service career!