Breakers Point Naval Guns, Military fortification in Lauli'i, American Samoa
Breakers Point Naval Guns are two 6-inch Mark 8 Model 2 naval cannons mounted on circular concrete platforms positioned about 200 feet above sea level on Papatele Ridge. The installation was designed as a coastal battery oriented strategically to defend Pago Pago Harbor.
The guns were installed in 1941 as part of American Samoa's defense preparations during World War II to protect Pago Pago Harbor from potential Japanese attacks. This military action reflected broader United States efforts to secure its Pacific territories during the war.
The installation of these guns relied on local problem-solving, with workers building a transport system using native ifil wood rails to move the heavy cannons uphill. This hands-on approach shows how local resources and ingenuity were essential to completing the military task.
To visit the guns, you need to use a hiking trail across private land and must obtain permission from the owners beforehand. It is important to arrange access in advance and check weather conditions, as the trail may be affected by seasonal changes.
Each gun measures over 20 feet in length and arrived in Pago Pago within wooden crates, which created significant logistical challenges for moving them uphill. The heavy equipment had to be transported across steep terrain using the specially built rail system.
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