The open view of the Harbor is uplifting... The Park i was about to visit overlooks the harbor from a high advantage of hills..Its called "Fort Allen" .
Rolling down the steep, but short road to the wall at waters edge, there was an old, pitted Cannon on the side, mounted with a plaque. I couldn't believe what i was reading, The Cannon was from the "Maine"! I think most of you are familiar with the story of "The Maine". I will just mention briefly for those who aren't....The "MAINE" was a WW1 type battleship. During our short skirmish with Spanish, during the Spanish/American War, the USA took charge of Cuba. The "Maine" was anchored in Havana Harbor. It blew up and sunk right there. Mostly submerged... Supposedly it was sabotaged by the Spanish, and part of the cause of the War. Rumors are that it may have blown up, from a careless Sailor on board. Whatever, tensions were high and the sinking didn't help things. The Navy salvaged some equipment,and i assume bodies, or what they could anyway. She sat partially submerged for i believe a couple of years? Finally the USA Navy raised the hulk, and towed her out to Sea, and gave her a proper burial. I have read before, that a Funnel off the "Maine" was set up as a memorial to her Men, locally at a rotary, but i never knew of this Cannon. When i get a chance i shall download the pictures of the plaque and cannon. I am showing you a different Memorial at Fort Allen. It is for the "U.S.S. PORTLAND". This city was extremely proud of their namesake. The "Portland" was a WWII Heavy Cruiser, i would guess, that would be a step down from a Battleship,such as the "Missouri" or the "Arizona". She was commissioned in 1933, served in the Pacific from 1942 -1945. Has been Decorated or honored with 16 Battle stars! The most Decorated Battle Record.
Need to step back to the Commissioning...1933 was the "Great Depression", ironically like now? Hmmm... It was also Prohibition! You remember that? (i don't) Well NO Liquor, as was custom, to Christen the new Ship. Remember this..A 12 year old girl, Mary Elizabeth Brooks, daughter of Chairman of the Portland Maine City Council, at the time, Christened the new "Portland" with a bottle of Sparkling Water! Near the end of WWII, the "Portland" was "Accepting" the Japanese Surrender on deck,at TRUK, at the same time they were "accepting" the Japanese Surrender on the "Missouri" in Japan! After the War, the "Portland" was used to transport Troops home from overseas. During one of these trips, She received irreparable damage during a Hurricane, and thus was decommissioned early in 1946. The end came in 1959 when She was finally being scrapped. Remember a lot of these ships sat "mothballed" in Philadelphia for years and years. She must of been sitting around,maybe being stripped slowly? Now a Maine Businessman, A Mr. Arthur Forestall, somehow got hold of the "Portland"s Mast tower, Bell, and Bridgesheet, while it was being scrapped in Panama City, Florida, and paid for transportation of the items to Portland Maine! What an Honorable thing to do! I don't know when of how, the items got set up as the Memorial originally, but after 50 years, they were deteriorating from rust and weather. Luckily an ex-Marine, a Bill Whitten, got involved, an somehow got the items refurbished. I assume, sandblasted, and refinished properly. A few Business's donated funds for the restoration. They look in great condition today. Here is where the young girl comes back into the picture.... On November 11, 2008 , after 75 years of the Original Commissioning of the "U.S.S. Portland" ,The City had a "Re dedication and Commissioning" Ceremony of the refurbished Park. AND..Elizabeth Brooks Doughty rechristened the Memorial with real Champagne! Now that had to be a moving moment.....
Click the pix to ENLARGE!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2009 09:53PM by Wayne in BC.
Road Trip...."Down East" ..... Pt 4
Rj
