[1] It coordinated the coast defenses of Portland, Maine, the mouth of the Kennebec River, and surrounding areas from 1895 to 1950, beginning with the Endicott program.

They then seized the Revenue Service cutter Caleb Cushing and attempted to flee the harbor in it along with Archer.

It appears the Confederates avoided the forts, but soon the wind shifted against them and the Union's steamships closed in.

With their capture imminent, the Confederates set fire to Cushing's magazines and abandoned the ship before it blew up.

[26][27] As recommended by the Endicott Board of 1885, construction began in 1893 on five forts to defend Portland harbor.

[11] The American entry into World War I brought many changes to the Coast Artillery and CD Portland.

Stateside garrisons were drawn down to provide experienced gun crews on the Western Front.

[20] At all the forts, numerous temporary buildings were constructed to accommodate the large influx of new recruits.

References indicate the authorized strength of CD Portland was 29 companies, including 13 from the Maine National Guard.

[4] Nine of these 13 companies were used to form the bulk of the 54th Coast Artillery, a regiment that was sent to France and slated to be armed with 24 6-inch guns.

[6] During this period towed 155 mm (6.1 inch) guns were based at Fort Williams, which served through World War II, according to a plaque on the site.

Early in World War II the coastal forts were expanded with numerous temporary buildings to accommodate rapid mobilization of men and equipment.

HD Portland became centered on Peaks Island, the 12-inch (305 mm) Battery Foote, and the minefields.

Ten Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat (AMTB) batteries were also emplaced at various locations in Casco Bay; these had an authorized strength of four 90 mm guns (two on fixed mounts, two on towed mounts) and two 40 mm Bofors guns.

[41] Although it was a major naval anchorage, the Casco Bay area saw action only once in World War II.

USS Eagle 56 (PE-56) exploded and sank a few miles east of the Cape Elizabeth Military Reservation on 23 April 1945.

Despite some evidence of an enemy submarine in the area, a Court of Inquiry initially attributed this to a boiler explosion.

However, in 2001 the Navy determined that Eagle 56 was torpedoed by U-853, a German U-boat that was later sunk in the Battle of Point Judith, Rhode Island on 5–6 May 1945, two days before Germany's surrender.

[11] On 1 January 1950 the Coast Artillery Corps and all Army harbor defense commands were finally dissolved.

Forts Scammell and Levett are well-preserved, but are on private islands that require advance permission to visit.

Fort McKinley and its garrison buildings are largely intact, although most of the gun positions are overgrown.

Per fess Gules and Argent, in chief a mullet of the last, in base a pine tree Proper.

[2][43] On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules a phoenix Purpure ailleroned Or rising from flames Proper.

"Terrae Portam" is also the Latin equivalent for Portland and "Defendamus" is the motto of the Coast Artillery Corps.

[2][43] The crest is taken from the arms of the city of Portland which was thrice destroyed in war by burning, by the Indians in 1676, by the French in 1690 and by the English fleet in 1775, but each time it has risen phoenix-like from its ashes.