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'''Links:'''  
'''Links:'''  
* [http://www.northamericanforts.com North American Forts - Fort Foster]
* [http://www.northamericanforts.com North American Forts - Fort Foster]
* [http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/Maine/Fort_Foster/history.html North American Forts - History of Fort Foster]
* [http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/Maine/Fort_Foster/index.html North American Forts - Fort Foster Main Page]


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Revision as of 09:56, 21 June 2011

Fort Foster (1) (1873-1948) - An Endicott Period Coastal Fort first established in 1873 on Gerrish Island, York County, Maine. Named Fort Foster in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after John G. Foster, a native of New Hampshire, and a lieutenant colonel, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, who served with distinction in the Mexican War and the U.S. Civil War, attaining the rank of major general, U.S. Volunteers, in the latter. Post abandoned by the U.S. Army in 1948.

Endicott Period (1890-1910)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The land for Fort Foster was acquired in two parcels, the first was a 40 acre parcel acquired in 1873 and the second was a 48 acre parcel formally acquired on 27 Feb 1943.

Construction began on the first of two Endicott Period gun batteries in 1898 and both were completed by 1904. Battery Bohlen was armed with three 10" guns on Disappearing carriages and Battery Chapin was armed with two 3" rapid fire guns.

Post construction was very limited and initially the only quarters constructed was an NCO/caretaker dwelling. The Reports of Completed Batteries (RCB) for the pre World War I period show the post garrisoned by detachment from Fort Constitution (2).

Fort Foster (1) Endicott Period Battery (edit list)
Battery
Click on Battery links below
No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes
Battery Bohlen 3 10" Disappearing 1898-1901-1901-1917
1919-1942
$ 158,000 Guns went to France & Back
(1917-1919)
Battery Chapin 2 3" Pedestal 1904-1945 $ 15,213
Source: CDSG


World War I (1917-1918)

In August of 1917 all three 10" guns of Battery Bohlen were ordered dismounted for use abroad but before they could be shipped overseas, they were ordered remounted.

A number of temporary World War I buildings were constructed during the war including temporary officers quarters, enlisted barracks, post exchange and stable. These temporary buildings were removed in the 1920s and for most of the 1920s and 1930s the post was in caretaker status.

Fort Foster Plan 1921 Showing WWI Temporary Buildings
Fort Foster Plan 1938 WWI Temporary Buildings Removed


World War II (1941-1945)


Fort Foster (1) World War II Battery (edit list)
Battery
Click on Battery links below
No. Caliber Type Mount Service Years Battery Cost Notes
Battery 205 2 6" Shielded Barbette (SBC) 1942-1944-1944-NA $ 265,079 Not Armed
Battery AMTB 952 2 90mm AMTB Fixed 1943-1943-1943-1946 $ ?
Source: CDSG
Fort Foster Plan WWII


Current Status

Part of Fort Foster City Park, Gerrish Island, York County, Maine. No period guns or mounts in place.

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Location: Fort Foster City Park, Gerrish Island, York County, Maine.

Maps & Images

Lat: 43.0672222 Long: -70.6877778

Sources:

  • Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 360-361
  • U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG
  • CDSG

Links:

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Fort Foster (1) Picture Gallery

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