Dan's Tackle Box

Peaks Island, Portland, Maine

Waiting for the ferry to Peaks Island
peaks island

Ferry landing
peaks island

We rented golf carts form Mike's Carts
peaks island

peaks island

peaks island

Battery Steele trailhead
peaks island

On the trail
peaks island

The 300 foot long Battery Steele fortress, built in 1942, is the longest battery in the United States. It took close to 200 men to operate. Then it housed two Mark II battleship guns, the heaviest in the naval artillery at the time. The guns fired 16 inch shells 25 miles. A nearby plotting room was equipt with an early computer used to triangulate enemy position. Mines, nets, underwater microphones, and magnetic submarine detection equipment were deployed in Casco Bay to defend against German uboats.
peaks island

Gun in place
peaks island

The Mark II gun
peaks island

Emplacement and entrance
peaks island

There is a lot of graffiti, some of it impressive
peaks island

peaks island

Inside the battery
peaks island

There are a few dark, haunting rooms deep inside. Among some of the interesting items we found were a burned out mattress, a cross country ski, desk, and an underground hatch that we were way to scared to go in.
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Peaks Island cairns timelapse

peaks island

Fishing off the dock next to the ferry landing
peaks island

peaks island