Fort Scammel

Fort Scammel (1808-1898) - Established 1808 on House Island in Portland Harbor, Cumberland County, Maine. Built as a Second System Fort by Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn and rebuilt as a Third System Fort by then Captain Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1862. Named after Colonel Alexander Scammel, Adjutant general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, who was killed during the Siege of Yorktown. Also known as Fort Scammell.

Fort Scammel East Bastion	Fort Scammel West Bastion
Fort Scammel on House Island

Second System (1808-1816)

Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.

Designed as a Second System fortification for the harbor defense of Portland, Maine. It was built under the direction of Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn who was the son of the Secretary of War. Dearborn also oversaw the construction of nearby Fort Preble. Like many of the Second System forts, Fort Scammel had a large central, octaginal blockhouse built from heavy timbers with gun batteries on the upper floor. The original fort mounted nine cannons. The top of the blockhouse was adorned with a large carved wooden eagle.

Third System (1816-1867)

The rebuilt Fort Scammel was to have mounted 71 guns including seven mortars.

Current Status

Privately owned but open to the public for fee which includes a boat ride. For more information, check the website.

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Location: House Island, Cumberland County, Portland Maine. Maps & Images Lat: 43.65028 Long: -70.21333 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 69'

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 373

Links:

• Wikipedia - House Island
• North American Forts - Fort Scammell
• House Island Site - History

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Fort Scammel Picture Gallery

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