Fort Sullivan (Maine)

This article is about the fort near Eastport. For the fort near Kittery, opposite Portsmouth, New Hampshire, see Portsmouth Naval Prison.
Fort Sullivan
Location Moose Island; barracks, 74 Washington St., Eastport, Maine
Coordinates 44°54′27″N 66°59′19″W / 44.90750°N 66.98861°WCoordinates: 44°54′27″N 66°59′19″W / 44.90750°N 66.98861°W
Area 1.8 acres (0.73 ha)
Built 1808
Governing body Private
NRHP Reference #

70000081

[1]
Added to NRHP January 26, 1970

Fort Sullivan (Fort Sherbrooke) lay in Eastport, Maine, opposite New Brunswick, Canada, and served as an important coastal defense for the easternmost United States of America during the 19th century. As part of the establishment of New Ireland, British Commodore Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet conquered the fort in 1814 and renamed it Fort Sherbrooke after John Coape Sherbrooke, the Governor of Nova Scotia.

Construction

In 1808, the United States Army decided to build a fort in Eastport, Massachusetts (now Maine), to protect against possible threats from Britain and other European powers then engaged in warfare. In 1808 or 1809, Major Lemuel Trescott oversaw the construction of the garrison atop Clark's Hill in the village. The fort contained a four-gun circular earthwork, a wooden blockhouse, and barracks. Fort Sullivan reportedly took its name circa March 1813.

British control

During the War of 1812, in an effort to establish New Ireland (Maine), the British forced the American garrison to surrender Fort Sullivan to a British fleet under command of Commodore Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet, on 11 July 1814. British naval forces ultimately took control over the entire coast east of Penobscot Bay, renaming it New Ireland. Even after the war, Britain claimed that Moose Island, Maine, (including Fort Sullivan and the entire village of Eastport) lay on the British side of the border separating United States of America from their loyal colony of New Brunswick and so left eight hundred troops in the fort, which they renamed Fort Sherbrooke after John Coape Sherbrooke, to hold the territory. The British demanded that the inhabitants of Eastport take oaths of allegiance to their crown; some complied, others evaded, and many removed to undisputed American territory. Through negotiations with the British in 1817, Americans renounced their claims to larger islands farther east and regained control over Eastport on 30 June 1818.

Two active battalions of the Regular Army (1-5 Inf and 2-5 Inf) perpetuate the lineage of the old 40th Infantry Regiment, which was on garrison duty at Fort Sullivan when it was captured by the British.

Coastal fort

The state of Maine separated from the commonwealth of Massachusetts under Missouri Compromise of 1820.

The post surgeon began meteorological observations at the fort in 1822.

The Army stationed officer Nathaniel Dana in the 1st U.S. Artillery at Fort Sullivan on 15 April 1822, when and where his wife bore his son, future major general Napoleon Jackson Tecumseh Dana.

The Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 settled the boundary dispute with United States of America retaining Eastport, Maine, and Fort Sullivan.

During American Civil War, the Army constructed earthwork batteries in the area. Maine Coast Guard Companies C mustered in at Eastport on 16 May 1864, stationed at Fort Sullivan, and mustered out 6 September 1865, under Captain Thomas P. Hutchinson.

Decommissioning

Remnants of powder magazine built during British occupation, 1814-18

In 1873, the Army ceased using and occupying Fort Sullivan. In 1877, the government sold the property at Fort Sullivan. The new owners moved the northernmost barracks quarters to its present location at 74 Washington Street, Eastport, Maine. Other parts of the fort collapsed over time. Ruins of an old powder magazine still exist off McKinley Street.

Barracks Museum

The Border Historical Society now owns and operates one of the remaining early 19th century officers quarters as the Barracks Museum, a site listed in National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maine. Exhibits include the history of Fort Sullivan, the area sardine and ground fishing industries, local history and genealogy. The museum is open in July and August.

References

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.

External links