Fortress Cushing
Guns, eyes, wire: the island becomes an instrument.
The Army began buying land here in the 1890s, and Fort Levett grew into a major post of the Harbor Defenses of Portland — Batteries Foote, Bowdoin, Kendrick, Ferguson and Daniels, and later AMTB 962. Battery Foote is the clearest case: two 12-inch guns on Model 1917A2 barbette carriages, funded in the First World War, built from 1917, substantially complete by the end of 1919, guns mounted in 1920 — then rebuilt in the Second World War, its open emplacements enclosed in concrete casemates. Guns on the channel, observers in concrete slits, plotting rooms behind them. White Head Passage is the reason all of it is here.
Which fire-control stations were sighted on which reference points, and where did the conduit runs surface?
- 1898Fort Levett construction begins
The U.S. Army began acquiring land on the island in the 1890s for a modern coastal-defense post. Fort Levett grew into a major post of the Harbor Defenses of Portland, eventually carrying Batteries Foote, Bowdoin, Kendrick, Ferguson and Daniels, and later AMTB 962 (Coast Defense Study Group).
- 1917–1918WWI defense, Battery Foote & the District Wireless Station
Battery Foote — two 12-inch guns on Model 1917A2 barbette carriages — was funded during the First World War; construction began in 1917 and was substantially complete by the end of 1919, with the guns mounted in 1920. A small District Wireless Station is photographed on the island (MMN #102431), looking across to Munjoy Hill.
- 1941–1945WWII modernization: Battery Foote casemated
Fort Levett was modernized for the Second World War. Battery Foote's open gun positions were enclosed in concrete casemates and its support spaces altered for the new configuration — the same ground rebuilt around a changed threat. A period 6-inch rifle survives in MMN #105419.
- map · ca. 1888Map of Cushing Island
- photograph · ca. 1914District-Wireless Station, Cushing Island, Maine
- photograph · UndatedCoastal gun and crew, Fort Levett
- document · 1898–1945Fort Levett construction and armament records
- documentThe Harbor Defenses of Portland (history with reproduced plans)
- documentNational Archives Fort Topical Index (Fort Levett / 'Fort Levitt, ME')
- 01Stand at Fort Levett — Battery FootePlace · Fort Levett — Battery Foote — Military · 1898–1945
- 02Look at the evidence: Coastal gun and crew, Fort LevettSource · Coastal gun and crew, Fort Levett — Undated · Maine Memory Network / Maine Historical Society
- 03Open the case file: Understanding Battery FooteCase file · Understanding Battery Foote — Case file III
- 04The story they still tell: Hidden tunnels beneath Fort LevettLegend · Hidden tunnels beneath Fort Levett — Legend
- 05Stand at Fort Levett Parade & Fire-Control ComplexPlace · Fort Levett Parade & Fire-Control Complex — Military · 1898–1947
- 06Look at the evidence: District-Wireless Station, Cushing Island, MaineSource · District-Wireless Station, Cushing Island, Maine — ca. 1914 · Maine Memory Network / Maine Historical Society