Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-03
CASCO'S DEFENCES.
The New Works to Protect
Portland and Vicinity.
Thirty-eight Riaed Guns Will Warn
Enemy to Keep Away.
Big Guns at Portland Head Have Range
Of IS Miles.

Portland, Me-, Feb. 1.-The Express
said, Saturday:
The new defensive works which the
government has allotted Casco bay will
consist when completed of IS rifled
rif,ed guns. Eighteen of these will be
Pinch, 10 10-inch, and 10 8-inch, to
cost for guns 1882, 1874 and for car
riages s546,O00. The large disappearing
guns at Fort Williams, Portland Head,
are the largest in the world. They
have u range of is miles and fire five
shots before the first one reaches its
destination. Powerful searchlights are
to be erected on the cape shore so that
the garrison stationed there may watch
for the approach of hostile vessels by
night as well as by day.
In addition there is being constructed
a mortar battery to contain 4S 12-inch
mortars, to cost $64S,0OO, and their car
riages an additional $4,000, making a
total expense for the entire new arma-
ment of s., 1872, 164. These, with the for
tifications at Diamond and Cushings
islands complete a line of defense
which would effectualIy take care of
any fleet that any country might send
here.
The whole eastern end of Diamond
island has recently been acquired by
the government and it is proposed to
erect there barracks and officers quar-
tiers for a large number of troops Cow
island, just east of Diamond island, is
also to be included in the system of
Notifications of Portland harbor and
battery of big guns will be placed
there. 1t will take a year. probably to
complete the work already planned
and several hundred men will be en-
ployed in establishing the batteries
building earthworks and erecting
buildings.
The war department recently issued
a general order giving the following
names to the new forts and batteries in
the vicinity of Portland:
The reservatio on Cushings island
is to be named Fort Levett. in honor of
Christopher Lcsctt. who explored Port
land harbor in 1923.
The 12-inch battery on Cushings is
land is to be named Battery Bowdoin,
in honor of. James Bowdoin, governor
of Massachusetts in 1856, Maine be
sets.
The 10-inch battery on CushingS is
land is to be named Battery Kendrick
in honor of the late Professor Henry
Lane Kendrick, VINO served with dis
tinction as an officer in the war with
Mexico. and as a professor of sciences
in the United States Military Academy
from 1857 to 1880.
The battery of three S-inch guns on
the south fork of Great Diamond island
is to be named Battery Weymouth, in
honor of Captain George Weymouth,
who made extensive explorations in
regions in 1905. ..
The battery of two 8-inch guns on
the south fork of Great Diamond island
is to be named Battery Honeycuttle, in
honor of the late Captain John T..
Honeycuttle Of the 9th United States
Artillery.
The 12-inch battery on the north fork
of Great Diamond island is to be named
Battery Berry, in honor of the late Ma
jor General Hiram G. Berry of the
United States Volunteers, killed at
Charlottesville. May 2, 1868.
The battery of three S-inch guns on
the north fork of Great Diamond is
land is to be named Battery Thompson,
in honor of Lieutenan. Colonel Samuel
Thompson. then of Brunswick. Of the
Massachusetts Militia, who effected the
capture of Captain Henry Mowatt. then
in command of a British vessel. May Z,
1775.
BY late assignments Of artillery COM
panies to man these various batteries
| and garrison the forts around Port
land. permanent force of about 1000
United States regulars will be located
here.