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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Second System (1808-1816)
Fort Preble was originally built as Second System modified star shaped, stone and earthwork fort on the site of previous fortifications. It originally mounted 14 cannons. The fort was built in 1808 on 5 acres of land purchased from Ebenezer Thrasher, as recorded in Cumberland County on 29 Feb 1808.
War of 1812 (1812-1814)
Third System (1816-1867)
Fort Preble was expanded in 1845 with a new 12 gun North Battery and a new 10 gun South Battery
U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)
Fort Preble was to be rebuilt again as a Third System fort in 1863 with the addition of a single tier of casemates, without a Barbette tier, enclosing the old star fort on three sides. The rear (land side) approach was left open. The old star fort became the Barbette tier covering the front and rear. Two flanking Barbette batteries were to provided an additional 16 guns facing the channel. Only a part of the planned construction was completed.
Confederate raiders entered Portland Harbor on 26 Jun 1863, aboard a captured ship named Archer. The Confederates attempted to escape but 23 raiders were were captured by Union forces and imprisoned at the fort.
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)
Fort Preble was garrisoned throughout World War I by the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment.
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:
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Fort Preble Picture Gallery
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