Battery Blair - Cape Elizabeth, ME
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 43° 37.350 W 070° 12.659
19T E 402296 N 4830658
Battery Blair is located in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.
Waymark Code: WMCWJV
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 10/19/2011
Views: 20
In the parking area for Portland Head Light there is an historical monument relating the history of Battery Blair. A plaque is affixed to a rock which is set upright. The rock is flanked by two smaller rocks and the whole assembly is placed in a half oval of paving stones. The plaque has an image of Battery Blair and the inscription:
Battery Blair
Battery Blair was completed in 1903. It was named for Francis P. Blair, Jr., a
veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars who rose to the rank of major general and
later represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate. The battery consisted of two twelve-
inch guns, the largest in use at the time, which were designed to protect Portland
Harbor from attacks by battleships and cruisers. The guns were mounted on
disappearing carriages that returned them to shelter below the level of the
parapet after firing, for both protection from hostile fire and rapidity of loading.
Powder and shells were raised on
mechanical hoists from magazines on the
lower level and moved to the guns on
dollies for loading. The guns were aimed
with data provided by a sophisticated
observation and plotting system and
were fired by the National Guard during
summer training. The battery was
manned during World War I and the early
years of World War II.
Address and /or location:
Fort Williams Park
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Who put it there (Sponsor): Fort Williams Foundation
Date (Erected or Dediated): undated
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Visit Instructions:
1) A new photo taken by you. Make it a quality one. You do not have to be in it, nor your hand held.
2) Some new insight to the history, and/or your personal experience finding the site.