Fort Levett: Difference between revisions

Fort Levett is a former Coastal Defense site established in 1894 on Cushings Island in Casco Bay. The fort was used through WWII and abandoned shortly after. Location 161. Please note that some images on this page may not load quickly due to file size.

In 1894 the government exercised its right to eminent domain and took control of the land from Francis Cushing. The initial parcel of land was 33.75 acres which was deemed too small for military use. In 1904 the reservation was increased by 91.68 acres bringing the total to 127 acres. The fort was officially named on April 4th, 1900, after Christopher Levett who explored Casco Bay in the 1620s and was designated a sub post of [[Fort Williams]]. No construction on any part of the fort would begin until 1897. Four batteries were planned for the site in 1898. Railroad beds, drains, concrete mixing wells and other necessary infrastructure were prepared for construction and completed by 1899. The concrete work was started in 1900 on Battery Bowdoin and Kendrick. A narrow-gauge railway was completed in 1899 that connected each of the batteries. On August 26-29 a mock battle was created to test how strong the Naval ships were and how strong the Coast Artillery Forts were. Fort Levett did take part in this experiment. On November 29th, 1905, 15 main post buildings were accepted for service. The central powerhouse was completed either August 1903 or June 30th, 1905 (the engineer's notebook and QM book have different dates), for $52,600 along the parade ground with three Westinghouse 105 Horsepower steam engines that were purchased in 1903. This powerhouse would provide electricity for all of the tactical buildings at Fort Levett. Two 30-inch truck-mounted searchlights were transferred to Fort Levett on December 26th, 1905. Fort Levett was not garrisoned until 1907 when the 1st Company Coast Artillery Corps (CAC) came to Portland. On January 29th, 1909, a number of buildings were accepted for service including the switchboard building, dormitory, combined secondar station for [[Fort Williams]], Fire Command Positions and Base-End Stations for Batteries Chase, Bowdoin and Kendrick. Secondary Fire Control positions for Fort Levett were located in another stucco building at [[Fort Williams]]. On August 26th, 1909, another group of buildings were accepted for service including the district signal station, BC Stations for Batteries Bowdoin and Kendrick, the meteorological station and tide gauge station. In 1911 a brand-new searchlight powerhouse was built near whitehead to serve two 60-inch searchlights transferred April 28th, 1911. Another searchlight was located on a concrete platform near Battery Daniels. <gallery mode="packed" heights="75">

Construction on this two-gun 10-inch disappearing gun battery started in 1899 along with Battery Bowdoin. Construction was mostly completed by 1901 and the battery was armed in 1902 and transferred into service on April 23rd, 1903, with two M1895 10-inch rifles on M1896 disappearing carriages for $118,578.20. This battery was named in honor of Henry Lane Kendrick who was a science professor. Two Hodges back delivery hoists were provided. Type-C powder hoists were accepted for service October 14th, 1912. When Battery Ferguson was planned, it was to be adjacent to this battery which resulted in the widening of Battery Kendrick's loading platforms where emplacement #1 met Battery Ferguson. On August 24th, 1917, the two guns were dismounted to be sent abroad. Instead, they just sat at the wharf until the war ended when they were remounted. In 1918 generators were installed to serve Battery Ferguson and Daniels along with the Fire Command group as auxiliary. In 1919 the original Hodges shell hoists were replaced with Taylor Raymond Hoists. Battery Kendrick remained in service until 1932 when it was put in reduced maintenance status essentially eliminating it from the Harbor Defenses. On November 6th, 1942, Battery Kendrick was declared surplus and on December 15th its guns and carriages were ordered salvaged.  <gallery mode="packed" heights="75">

Construction on this three-gun 3-inch rapid fire battery started in 1899. It was designed to protect and sweep the minefield. The battery was completed in 1900 and armed in 1901 with M1898 mounts and M1898 rifles. The battery was transferred April 23rd, 1903, for $14,994,18 after being named for Napoleon Daniels who served in the Civil War. In 1920 a program was started to remove all unnecessary small caliber guns. The guns of Battery Daniels were removed, and the mounts salvaged on March 27th, 1920. Interestingly, a CRF Station was built for the battery and the plans were accepted July 9th months after the guns were removed. This station would be renovated in 1942 for the Mine OP. The battery is so overgrown that it is essentially buried making it nearly impossible to access the rooms and even emplacements so unfortunately, I was unable to get many photos. <gallery mode="packed" heights="100">

== WWI Era and Interwar ==

Construction was authorized in 1917 for a new long range 12-inch gun battery. Initially, two batteries were planned for the site but the second was eliminated before construction could begin. The estimated cost for the battery was $149,415 which included the carriages but $236,000 was allotted. It would cost another $10,000 to install the guns which were model M1895A4 on M1917A2 Long range barbette carriages. The weapons were installed and ready for action on December 17th, 1920. The arc of range was originally about 17 miles in all directions. This battery was completed January 26th, 1921, and named in honor of Stephen M Foote who was in the CAC. The two gun emplacements were 320 feet apart with a central magazine in the middle. A power room was built in the middle of the central magazine. Two fire control positions with open roofs could be accessed via two staircases along the central traverse. In 1922 property was acquired on [[Jewell Island MR]] and [[Trundy Point MR]] for fire control stations. A steel tower would be built at Trundy Point and a one room concrete building would be built on Jewell Island which would be replaced in the 1930s by a castle-like station. In the 1940 modernization plan, Battery Foote was selected to be casemented for protection against air and gas attack. This upgrade would be completed in July 1943 and additional fire control positions would be added for increased range. WWII Fire Control Stations for Battery Foote would be located at [[Fletchers Neck MR]], [[Prouts Neck MR]], [[Trundy Point MR]], [[Jewell Island MR]] and [[Bailey Island MR]]. A SCR 296 would be located at Dyer Point in [[Cape Elizabeth MR]] for the battery. The WWII tactical number for Battery Foote was Battery #4. Four mobile Anti-Aircraft Machine guns were located on and around the battery. <gallery mode="packed" heights="75">

== WWII Era ==

 

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