Here on the shores of Hingham Bay sits Spinnaker Island. Once, this land was known as Hog Island or Little Hog Island. Now, it stands as a testament to transformation.
Spinnaker Island isn’t just any harbor island. It’s connected to Hull by a causeway. It is a unique part of Massachusetts history. Unlike some neighboring islands, Spinnaker Island remains outside the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
Let’s jump back in time. In 1636, Boston officials allocated land in Winthrop. This exchange occurred because some residents relinquished their claims to Spinnaker Island.
Fast forward to 1920. The U.S. government constructed Fort Duvall here. This Coast Artillery fort played a crucial role. Two 16-inch guns were placed on the island. These guns received reinforced concrete casemates before World War II. Today, one fortification remains visible beneath a condominium complex. It now serves as a parking space. After the war, the fort became surplus.
During the 1950s, Spinnaker Island hosted the Integrated Fire Control and radar systems for a Nike missile site. The missile launchers were across Hingham Bay at Webb Memorial State Park. The site deactivated in 1974. The Hull public school system then utilized the island.
In 1987, a developer purchased and transformed the island. Hog Island became Spinnaker Island. Condominiums and a marina replaced military installations.
But the island’s military past is not forgotten. The federal government acquired the island in 1917. It intended to use it as a military fortification. By 1925, Fort Duvall was complete. It featured two 16-inch rifles. Originally, planners wanted to place these guns in the outer harbor. The high cost of operating in the outer harbor changed their minds.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, a caretaker was the only full-time resident. The battery staff lived at Fort Revere nearby.
After World War II, Spinnaker Island became a radar and fire control center for a local NIKE missile site. Military facilities closed in the 1970s.
Imagine those 16-inch guns firing. September 1942 saw a practice drill at Fort Duvall. Massive shells targeted offshore points. Over two thousand Hull residents evacuated. Many returned to shattered windows caused by the blasts. Fortunately, these guns never saw wartime use.
Today, Spinnaker Island offers natural protection to Allerton Harbor. It shields the docks and moorings at Hull Yacht Club. However, boats must watch for a long shallow bar extending from the island’s southeastern end.
As the sun sets over Spinnaker Island, it reflects off the modern condominiums. The island’s history whispers through the remnants of Fort Duvall. Spinnaker Island stands as a reminder of layered past. It started as Hog Island, transformed into a military stronghold, and now serves as a residential community.