Fort Preble
Fort Preble (1808-1947) - Initially a Second System Fort established in 1808 by Henry A. S. Dearborn and named after Commodore Edward Preble. Modifications to upgrade it to a Third System Fort were begun but never completed. Continuously used through the U.S. Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Four Endicott Period batteries were installed after the Spanish American War. An additional battery was constructed during World War II. Deactivated 31 Jul 1947 and declared surplus in 1950.
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War of 1812 (1812-1814)
Third System (1816-1867)
U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)
Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine. Designed to protect Portland Harbor along with Fort Scammel.
Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Kearny | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1896-1901-1901-1942 | $ 226,205 | Buried |
Battery Chase | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1896-1901-1901-1942 | Included in above | Buried |
Battery Rivardi | 2 | 6" | Disappearing | 1906-1917 | $ 44,137 | |
Battery Mason | 1 | 3" | Pedestal | 1906-1942 | $ 8,043 | Moved in 1942 |
Source: CDSG |
World War I (1917-1918)

World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Mason II | 1 | 3" | Pedestal Mount | 1942-1946 | $ ? | Moved from Mason. Destroyed |
Source: CDSG |
Current Status
Became Southern Maine Community College in 1952.
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Location: Spring Point, Portland Harbor, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.649716 Long: -70.225478 |
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 371
- Weaver, John R. II, A Legacy in Brick and Stone: America Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System, Redoubt Press, McLean, 2001, First Printing, ISBN 1-57510-069-X, page 78-79
Links:
- Wikipedia - Fort Preble
- North American Forts - Fort Preble
- Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library
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Fort Preble Picture Gallery
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