Battery Bowdoin
Battery Bowdoin (1903-1943) - Battery Bowdoin was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Levett, Cushing's Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 43, 4 Apr 1900, after James Bowdoin, governor of Massachusetts, 1785-1786, then including within its territorial limits the present State of Maine, and a member of the Federal Constitutional Convention. Battery construction started in 1898, was completed in 1903 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 23 Apr 1903 at a cost of $ 190,290.56. Deactivated in 1943.
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Endicott Period (1890-1910)
Part of the Harbor Defense of Portland, Maine.
Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with three 12" M1895 guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were originally moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by Hodges back delivery shell hoists. The Hodges hoists were replaced in 1919 with Taylor-Raymond shell hoists modified for the new long point shells. No separate powder hoists were provided. The carriages were provided with electric retracting motors. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.
| Empl No |
Caliber Type |
Barrel Length |
Model | Serial No |
Manufacturer | Carriage | Service Dates |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895 | 4 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1897, #23, Watertown | 1903-1943 | See note 1 | |
| 2 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895 | 28 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1897, #18, Bethlehem | 1903-1943 | See note 1 | |
| 3 | 12" Rifle | 442.56" | M1895 | 13 | Watervliet | Disappearing, M1897, #13, Morgan | 1903-1943 | See note 1 | |
| Source: RCW Form 1, 31 May 1919, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 148-149 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet on 14 Jan 1945, carriages were ordered salvaged 10 Feb 1944. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA | |||||||||
World War I (1917-1918)
The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Bowdoin were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.
World War II (1941-1945)
Battery Bowdoin was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portland plan through 1943 when it was declared obsolete and ordered salvaged. The battery continued to be used for ammunition storage through the end of the war. All three of the guns were transferred to Watervliet on 14 Jan 1945 and all three of the carriages were ordered salvaged 10 Feb 1944.
Current Status
No period guns or mounts in place.
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Location: Fort Levett, Cushing's Island, Cumberland County, Maine Maps & Images Lat: 43.640373 Long: -70.200604 |
Sources:
- U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of Portland, Maine, (HDPB-AN-45), 11 Apr 1945, CDSG
Links:
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