Rugged Island (Alaska) facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Resurrection Bay, Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 59°51′25″N 149°22′52″W / 59.857°N 149.381°W |
| Archipelago | Resurrection Archipelago |
| Highest elevation | 1,436 ft (437.7 m) |
| Highest point | Unnamed |
| Administration | |
|
United States
|
|
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Kenai Peninsula |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Rugged Island is a natural island located at the entrance of Resurrection Bay in Alaska, near the city of Seward. This island acts like a protective barrier for the bay. It is about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long and 1.7 miles (2.7 km) wide.
The island is mostly mountainous, with steep hills, tall peaks, and straight-up cliffs. Its curved shape wraps around a central body of water called Mary's Bay. This bay is the only safe place for boats to anchor on Rugged Island. Many people visit Rugged Island in the summer for fun activities like kayaking, sailing, camping, and guided walks to an old, abandoned fort.
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Island History: Forts and World War II
For a long time, almost no one lived on Rugged Island. But that changed in 1942 during World War II. The United States Army decided to build two forts in the area to protect the coast. One fort, called Fort McGilvray, was built on Caines Head. The other, named Fort Bulkley, was built on the southern tip of Rugged Island.
Building Fort Bulkley
To build Fort Bulkley, the army constructed a special road for jeeps from Mary's Bay to the fort. They also added searchlights, places to control gunfire, a large gun battery (a group of big guns), and a radar system. Radar helps detect objects from a distance.
Life at the Fort
At its busiest time, Fort Bulkley was home to about 80 soldiers. They lived and worked there to protect the area.
Fort Abandonment
By 1944, World War II was coming to an end. Because the war was winding down, the army no longer needed Fort Bulkley, and it was abandoned. Today, you can still see the fort, which is very well-preserved. The remains of an old dock are also still visible.
