Peaks Island  -  View MILITARY MAP
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VIEWS

BATTERY CRAVENS


AZIMUTH SITING
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HECP OBSERVER


Mine Station


BATTERY and TOWER
Peaks Island Military Reservation, as seen on this sites entry map, consisting of 184 acres, more or less, was acquired by purchase and condemnation  between 1906 and 1943. The Army used the site for harbor defense purposes during World Wars I
and II.  A searchlight shelter,  a generator building and one bunker were built  in 1906  as part of the Portland Harbor Defenses. The Army built two batteries (Steele and Cravens), bunkers, gun emplacements, a mine casement, and five towers on the site in 1942 and 1943. The site was conveyed to private owners in  1949 and 1958.  The site has developed into a predominantly residential area with private ownership. A portion is owned by Portland.

DESCRIPTION OF BD/DR HAZARD:
Battery Steele bunker is approximately 600 ft. long with two 16-inch gun emplacements.    There is a drop of over six feet from the top of Battery Steele which presents a falling hazard.     There is also miscellaneous debris inside the Battery. The bunker was used by the Army as part of the Portland Harbor Defenses. The bunker and gun emplacements have not been utilized subsequent to DOD use.

PROPOSED :
No further action.    The bunker has been privately owned since Government ownership. It appears that the debris was a result of island residents or vandals.