Trundy Point MR

From New England Defenses
Revision as of 14:04, 28 November 2024 by J. Malcolm (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Loc. 159 Trundy Point was a Fire Control site part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland from 1922-45. Located at the end of Avon Road on Blue Hill in Cape Elizabeth ME.

Site 1A

When Battery Foote at Fort Levett was built, it had the longest-range guns in Portland at the time. Due to the distance that the batteries projectiles could travel it was necessary to construct a few Fire Control Towers to help triangulate the location of enemy vessels. In 1922 a steel tower was built with one observation level for Battery Foote. The cab was splinter proofed sometime during WWII and saw use until 1945.

Site 1B

1943 Tower
1943 Tower

In 1943 construction began on an eight-story tower near the original 1922 tower. It would have two observation levels. The eighth floor (DPF) was used for Battery Cravens at Peaks Island MR and the seventh floor (DPF) was used for Battery Ferguson at Fort Levett. A communications cable junction box is located under the tower.

Present

After the end of WWII both towers were deactivated and returned to the town of Cape Elizabeth who auctioned it off. Today the 1922 and 1943 towers still stand in rough condition. Sections of the reservation fence can be found around the 1922 tower. The entire property including both towers are privately owned. Please respect the owner's privacy by not trespassing.

SOURCES and REFERENCES

The Modern Defenses of Portland Joel W. Eastman

Coast Defense Study Group

1944 Portland Harbor Defense Annex

Cape Elizabeth Historic Preservation Society