WWII Coastal Defenses of the U.S.!!! | History Traveler Episode 101

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  • čas přidán 17. 11. 2020
  • What if I told you that you didn't have to travel to Normandy to see coastal defense structures? And that you could find similar structures right here in the U.S.? In this episode, we're in exploring some of the defenses that were built along the coastline of Maine in the late 1800s and added to through WWII with the threat of German U-boats looming on the east coast. This is a piece of WWII history that you won't hardly see anywhere else!
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Komentáře • 619

  • @kurtbaker4078
    @kurtbaker4078 Před 3 lety +48

    My Dad was stationed there and other Forts down the Eastern coast during WWII. He updated all the search light and anti-aircraft guns to Radar directed. He had some cool stories

  • @michaelcombs24
    @michaelcombs24 Před 3 lety +28

    They're called"disappearing guns" . My grandfather was stationed at Ft. Washington MD and was a battery commander, so to speak. He was there pre WWI. Married my grandmother there too

    • @Wilett614
      @Wilett614 Před 2 lety +3

      You My Friend are 100% CORRECT , Those guns FIRE and retract down and out of the line of sight .
      Most US Coastal Guns for Coastal Defense were of this type . Casemented Overhead Reinforced Concrete
      were added to protect the Guns from aerial attack as well ,in WW2 .

    • @julianmalcolm
      @julianmalcolm Před 11 měsíci

      @@Wilett614 That was only on the WW1 Long Range Barbette Batteries. Disappearing batteries were not casemented because their range was bad.

  • @michaelcombs24
    @michaelcombs24 Před 3 lety +10

    The tower is for observation and fire control for the big guns. The top part would house a huge binocular type device that would give range to the target. Then it would be relaid to the various guns, elev., distance, etc. After the guns would fire, they would watch the splash, and adjust accordingly. It's called ranging the shot. The Army uses 1760 yrds as a mile. Naval mile is 2000 yrds

    • @julianmalcolm
      @julianmalcolm Před 27 dny

      Are you familiar with the Coast Defense Study Group?

    • @michaelcombs24
      @michaelcombs24 Před 27 dny +1

      @@julianmalcolm I'm familiar with it.

  • @brendancripps8890
    @brendancripps8890 Před 3 lety +32

    I have to chime in here with everyone else, only about my "home city" of the two forts of Boston Harbor (originally 3, but Fort Winthrop on Governor's Island blew up in the mid 20th century before being covered by Logan Airport)- Fort Warren in the outer channel, on Georges Island, and Fort Independence on Castle Island, all were renovated during the Endicott Period. All combined with the forts in Portland as part of that Atlantic protection net. I was very lucky to research and write my Master's Thesis for Grad school on this topic.
    A couple of great books on the topic are "Fortress America: The Forts that Defended America" (Kaufmann & Kaufmann, DaCapo Press 2004) or ""A Legacy of Brick and Stone: American Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System" (John R. Weaver, Redoubt Press, 2001)
    Great job JD!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +5

      Oh wow! Thanks for the heads up on those books. I'll have to check those out.

    • @johnweaver561
      @johnweaver561 Před 3 lety +4

      @@TheHistoryUnderground Please contact me at OldFortJW@gmail.com if you would like to buy a copy of A Legacy in Brick and Stone. The new edition, full color, hardbound, greatly expanded, came out in June, 2018. John Weaver

    • @npdcpa
      @npdcpa Před 2 lety

      @@johnweaver561 I've been eyeballing that book on Amazon, but $48...

    • @julianmalcolm
      @julianmalcolm Před 2 lety +1

      Boston Harbor had its own selection of Brand New Endicott forts. Way more than 3!

  • @stephenbrodeur5354
    @stephenbrodeur5354 Před 2 lety +8

    Your videos are superbly produced and your content is interesting, engaging, and informative. If you’re ever up in the NH Seacoast area again there is just so much history here. From 1623 to the present , there has been and is a presence of a rich military history throughout the 17 miles of New Hampshire coast. From ft Constitution to Battery Seaman at Odiorne Pt, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Prison, ft Stark, USS Albacore museum and the American independence museum . These are just a few of the parks, installations and museums that make this area maybe not unique, but certainly of some historical significance. Thanks again for the great work you continue to create.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 2 lety +1

      Thanks! Appreciate the kind words. Can’t wait to get back to that part of the country.

  • @epfan4life1
    @epfan4life1 Před 3 lety +5

    Absolutely amazing!! I had no idea that German u-boats were that close to mainland United States. My mind is blown!!! Thank you for the education.😊😊😊

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +3

      Pretty crazy. Most people don't know how close they got.

    • @bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742
      @bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742 Před 2 lety

      If I'm not mistaken you might find this interesting but it's not really all that well-known but German you both sank lots of merchant vessels with supplies going over to England yeah they suck lots of them they were all over the East Coast here and there was one case where you know they caught spies in Manhattan I think that got the they got a sure buyer a U-boat and those are just the ones that caught so yeah pretty interesting not something that you know I guess the the country wanted to be shouted out from the rooftops that the Germans were sinking a lot of our ships merchant vessels cargo stuff like that anyway pretty sure that's that's accurate sincerely Bob the blind bedroom guitars

  • @Chiller01
    @Chiller01 Před rokem +2

    Don’t know how I missed this fascinating episode. I have to chuckle, I’m unaware of anyone who gets more excited by overgrown decaying concrete and steel than you. Of course I am fascinated by the impact that walking the actual ground of historically significant sites can elicit. That’s why I enjoy your channel.

  • @robertculbreth694
    @robertculbreth694 Před 3 lety +8

    You're living the life I wish I could live sir! I love studying & visiting historical sights.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      I felt pretty fortunate to have permission to explore this place. Pretty fascinating history there. Glad that I could share a bit of the experience!

  • @ericcampbell7491
    @ericcampbell7491 Před 3 lety +6

    This was a fantastic history lesson. I really appreciate your camera work. You have the best channel on CZcams. Thank you for what you do.

  • @brianthompson2079
    @brianthompson2079 Před 3 lety +7

    This episode was fantastic. We are so separated from battlefields here in the US so It was really cool to step back in time and see what we were preparing for. Well done. Also, welcome to New England. Gotta get you up here more often.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks! I really can’t wait to come back. Waaaay too much up there that I left unexplored.

  • @palerider4015
    @palerider4015 Před 3 lety +3

    Brilliant video thank you. Really enjoy your work.
    I live in the UK and it never ceases to amaze me how comparatively little the good people of the USA know about this aspect of their own History. I know there was and probably still is a lot of scepticism over how likely a Nazi invasion of the United States could have been. Well from what I’ve learned over the years, back in 1944, there was no guarantees that D Day would have been a success. Eisenhower, on the eve of June 6th, famously writing his press release describing how the landings were not successful and he would take full responsibility. Had the second (or western front) collapsed, then certainly the whole of the UK and the eastern seaboard of the US would have come under direct attack from enhanced V2 ballistic missiles. The Nazis were close to developing the technology to reach eastern US cities with larger warheads. The concept of a Long range bomber (Amerikabomber) had begun shortly after Germany declared war on the United States in 1941 and had seen five prototypes under construction, as noted by Albert Speer in his post war diaries made during his imprisonment. These were to be specifically used in a direct strike against the eastern US. Fortunately the Western allies were successful in Europe and these Scenarios never got the chance to play out. Had the UK not prevailed, then the US would have almost certainly faced a direct threat from the Axis powers or an entire Europe under Soviet control, who would have had the entire Nazi scientific and technological infrastructure at their disposal. Makes for great debates.

  • @SueProst
    @SueProst Před 3 lety +20

    Excellent job. Your camera work is wonderful. I'm no professional but I love the shots you take, it gives a great perspective of the location you are exploring.

  • @RobertLidstroem
    @RobertLidstroem Před 3 lety +7

    Superb videos! Im Swedish but I have relatives who fought on both sides in WWII. My grandfather on my mothers side, flew transportation aircraft. On my fathers side a Glen P Cook flew recon over France.
    Exceptionelly well made videos which grabs your interrest straight from the start! Beeing a huge BoB fan brought me here.
    Keep up the great work!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Wow! Thank you!

    • @turninmonyin2noise978
      @turninmonyin2noise978 Před rokem +1

      Wow it is a small world. My Dad Was Glen P. Cook so My Grandmother is is a direct relative of yours. She came to America when she was about 18 years old. Glen brought his Mom back to Sweden in the 70's and I gave your family tours of New York city when they visited. One slight correction though. Glen Flew Anti-Sub Patrols off the East Coast of America out of Rehoboth Beach Delaware, as a charter member of the Civil Air Patrol. then went to the Pacific war theatre. His Best friend was killed in the skies over France. The Interesting part of the Coastal Patrol was that as Civilians they were arm with bombs and served as combatants as military personnel but were not. As such they were denied any thing a solder was offered after service. four of the men Dad flew with were killed, including one of the crew of his sister ship that crashed into the North Atlantic on one patrol. Robert Cook

  • @Wreckdiver59
    @Wreckdiver59 Před 3 lety +18

    I knew, in theory, that we had some sort of coastal defense. It's amazing the similarities between the German atlantic wall fortifications and what you took us through today. I imagine there are other locations still around as well.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +2

      Yeah, I was amazed at how similar they all were to the German fortifications. I'd like to get out and explore some more some day.

    • @2147B
      @2147B Před 3 lety +2

      Portsmouth NH has a pretty massive underground bunker system as well as artillery set ups. It's all abandoned and closed off now but lots of rich history. I love living in New England

  • @cazman.1957
    @cazman.1957 Před 3 lety +6

    Your video/camera work is amazing. You may want to look at Fort Tilden (Queens, NYC), Fort Totten (Queens, NYC), Fort Wadsworth (Staten Island, NYC), Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn, NYC), and Fort Schuyler (Bronx, NYC) for a set of your videos. There were rumors of a tunnel from Fort Wadsworth-to-Fort Hamilton and a tunnel from Fort Schuyler-to-Fort Totten. Fort Tilden has a stretch of battery casements that resemble Hitler's Atlantic Wall in Normandy, France.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Oh wow! Thanks for the tips. I'm wanting to come to NYC at some point and spend about a week or two exploring and filming content. Thanks for the kind words as well :)

  • @alanconnors8881
    @alanconnors8881 Před 3 lety +18

    Happy to see it hasn't beer defaced.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +4

      I think that being on a private island has helped. But I agree. Good to see it in its natural state.

    • @alanconnors8881
      @alanconnors8881 Před 3 lety

      @@TheHistoryUnderground There's some residual. But mostly seasonal. But considering the location and what it is, it's probably protected in some way. I'm a New Englander. Thanks for the cool information.

    • @judithdonnelly8824
      @judithdonnelly8824 Před 2 lety +1

      @@TheHistoryUnderground
      This looks very similar to Fort Getty in Jamestown Rhode Island. As well as Fort Greble on Dutch Island. Which is located across from Fort Getty.. There is still a look out tower in Dutch Island as well but the roof of it was covered with light purple glass. Believe it or not. I have been this island more than a few times. The set ups are the same..
      If you are interested someone did a drone footage of both on u-tube....
      PS. I remember that my brothers ditched me in the tunnels alone without any lights!! So I know the
      feeling!! LOL!!
      That looked like a gun mount to me in that tower/ lookout.

    • @dankmazzi2376
      @dankmazzi2376 Před 2 lety

      I WAS thinking the same thing.

  • @KarlMcCleve
    @KarlMcCleve Před 2 lety +2

    I love your History Channel. I've seen things on here I never even knew existed. Keep up the great work

  • @IHUTCHI
    @IHUTCHI Před rokem +2

    Oh man I wish I could have gone with you on this one. I grew up in the San Francisco area where these gun emplacement were everywhere. I explored every one of them I could get into. Later I moved to Portland Or. and explored all that the mouth of the Columbia River had to offer. I have been in love with coastal defense history latterly all my life. Hope to get out to Mane at some point. Thanks for showing me all the places I just can't get to right now in ALL your videos. This channel is amazing!

  • @theuglydog8044
    @theuglydog8044 Před 3 lety +6

    I lived right near there for 10 years and never knew it was there! One of my favorite places, Portland Head Light, where you started the video. The old forts in Boston were great too, I haven't been back there in years. I hope you will do a few on Boston. Kepp up the great work.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +2

      Definitely need to get to Boston at some point. Thanks!

    • @julianmalcolm
      @julianmalcolm Před 27 dny

      The Portland head light is at what was once the largest fort in portland

  • @brookehuntoon1004
    @brookehuntoon1004 Před 3 lety +3

    Your cinematography is outstanding and your music hauntingly wonderful. Another great video about a place I never knew existed. Thanks.

  • @gregtaylor3432
    @gregtaylor3432 Před rokem +1

    In the 1970s my Boy Scout troop used to camp near some similar gun emplacements on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. When I visited the fort (Fort Hancock), ironically with my son on a scout trip, I was told that all of the large gun emplacements on the bay side had collapsed into the bay!! Great memories!

  • @frank12830
    @frank12830 Před 3 lety +2

    Another stellar video! Great job brother!

  • @chuck2776
    @chuck2776 Před 3 lety +9

    Very cool. Didn’t know that existed. Thanks for teaching me something new today.

  • @tommythuntdeer
    @tommythuntdeer Před 3 lety +10

    If you ever get out to the Pacific NW, you should explore Fort Casey, Fort Worden and Fort Flagler. Together they were known as the "Triangle of Fire," a trio of strategically placed fortifications that defended the entrance to the Puget Sound. Used during WW I and II.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +4

      Really really hoping to get up there at some point. I'll add those places to the list.

    • @jamesjustus6568
      @jamesjustus6568 Před 3 lety +2

      There are 5 Endicott Period fortifications in Puget Sound. Besides Forts Casey, Worden and Flagler, Fort Whitman is located on Goat Island in Skagit Bay. It was a single battery of 4, 6 inch disappearing carriage guns and a mine control station. It would have defended against any hostile forces attempting to come south down Saratoga Passage after transiting Deception Pass. Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island and a mine control station across Rich Passage that was a part of the Fort Ward defenses is on Middle Point.

    • @windfire5380
      @windfire5380 Před 3 lety +1

      I've lived in Puget Sound my entire life. I went to Fort Casey multiple times i school outings. :) Amazing place--couldn't appreciate it as a kid though.

  • @roadlizardcu8664
    @roadlizardcu8664 Před 3 lety +4

    Wow, fantastic. Had no idea that this installation was in place, most of these are not discussed in education. Thank you for showing the light of day to this subject. What a great video, what an exceptional job you have done here. And the best part as usual is we are fumbling in learning of this place along with you. Again I must say exceptional. Be safe and take care.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks! Hopefully my fumbling encourages people to do some digging to learn more about these places. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  • @BillsWargameWorld
    @BillsWargameWorld Před 3 lety +1

    I think this is one of the best episodes you have done. Amazing

  • @bgav8915
    @bgav8915 Před 3 lety +11

    Great great episode. Other then living up there, very few have prob seen what you’ve shown us. I am a huge WW2 buff, and I have never seen a lot of this. Great piece of history.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +2

      I was pretty pumped about it. Very cool structures and history.

    • @julianmalcolm
      @julianmalcolm Před 2 lety +1

      That is probably because this is WW1 and the Spanish American war. WW2 Batteries/Bunkers are very different from these because WW2 ones had airplane camouflage while these had Ship Camouflage.

  • @mamnisel4815
    @mamnisel4815 Před 3 lety +4

    Wonderfully interesting Videos and always look forward to the next one.You really know your stuff when it comes to War History!!!

  • @JimL73
    @JimL73 Před 3 lety +2

    Great Episode! Glad you made it up here to New England...hopefully you'll be able to come back and check out Lexington and Concord sometime!

  • @vawterb
    @vawterb Před 3 lety +5

    Very interesting, amazing and cool! It stands to reason if one thinks about it at all but I've never thought about it. Thank you for taking us along. There are so many places I knew nothing about nor did my dad that I've so close to without knowing it! Again, thank you!

  • @larryphillips6793
    @larryphillips6793 Před 3 lety +4

    I found your tour of Cushing Island very interesting. I had never heard of it. Back in the early 60s, I was stationed at the Brunswick Naval Air Station which is located a little northeast of Portland. I was with a patrol squadron (VP-26). We flew P-2V patrol planes.....and one task was anti-sub warfare. Thanks for the tour and history of Cushing Island.

  • @kimberleegullbailey2547

    So amazing!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and travels of these historical places!! Thank you as well for not cursing. I completely enjoy your videos!! 🇺🇸🙏❤🗽🙏❤👍

  • @alanbower1193
    @alanbower1193 Před 3 lety +3

    I would love to see those batteries restored to their original condition. That would be so cool. Two possibilities for the pedestal base in the top of the tower. It could have been a mount for an optical range finder so the observers could pass range and azimuth to the gunners, or it could have been a mount for a pair of those giant naval binoculars. I'd bet on the range finder. Great episode. Thanks.

    • @alanbower1193
      @alanbower1193 Před 3 lety

      @T-Rex Gordon What do you mean the area is too small? It is looking out over the ocean, It is a coastal defense battery.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      That's kind of what I was wondering. Or for optics. Either way, very cool place.

    • @alanbower1193
      @alanbower1193 Před 3 lety

      @@TheHistoryUnderground Another give away is the window itself. It goes all the way across the front of the tower without any interruptions. The WWI 6 inch gun had a range of about 1700 yards. The WWII version had a range of 2600 yards. So they would have had to have some way to accurately estimate the range. The gunners down in the battery could not even sea the target or the ocean from their positions.

    • @georgem7965
      @georgem7965 Před 3 lety

      @@alanbower1193 The 6" gun on a disappearing carriage had a maximum range of 14,600 yards. The WW2 barbette mounted 6" gun had a range of about 27,000 yards. The gun tubes were the same but the disappearing mount had a lower maximum elevation. The limited range was the main reason the old disappearing mounts were replaced.

    • @alanbower1193
      @alanbower1193 Před 3 lety

      @@georgem7965 Thanks for the correction and the information George. I wasn't aware the disappearing mounts limited elevation. Thanks.

  • @eaglefan1124
    @eaglefan1124 Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you for visiting! As a Maine resident it's always nice to see visitors getting to experience Maine. Great video as always!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Loved my visit to your state! I wish that I could have spent more time there.

  • @swtexan6502
    @swtexan6502 Před 3 lety +10

    We're all lucky that your phobia of heights doesn't translate to the open sea! Thanks, JD.

  • @frankl9583
    @frankl9583 Před 3 lety +6

    We have similar emplacements here in Baltimore, Md, particular at Ft. Howard, which was nicknamed "The Bull Dog at Baltimore's Gate". Interesting fact part of the land was later used as a VA hospital which has since closed, as well as housing POWs during WW2. During Viet Nam the Army built a small Vietnamese village on the land to train SF troops in counter-counterinsurgency warfare (The US Army intel school was based in Baltimore till the late 70s at Ft. Hollibard). Lastly, the Ft. is also located near the area called Northpoint, which is where Maryland millita forces fought a decisive delaying action against British regulars during the war of 1812 when the British attempted to attack Baltimore.

  • @fredv7487
    @fredv7487 Před 2 lety +1

    Awesome again my friend. People need to see what went on. 👍👍👍

  • @skimmer8774
    @skimmer8774 Před 3 lety +19

    I betting the mount in the top of tower was for range finder and info was phoned to gun emplacement.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +2

      Solid hypothesis.

    • @vw2112
      @vw2112 Před 3 lety +6

      @@TheHistoryUnderground little bit of reading tells me that it was a mount for an azimuth range finder. there should have been another tower somewhere else around there that had the same kind of thing mounted on top that could give a bearing to the target. they were normally constructed in pairs.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +4

      @@vw2112 Ahhhhh......good call. There actually was another tower like this one on the north side of the island but I was running out of daylight and didn't have time to go up to it. Thanks!

    • @steveclark4291
      @steveclark4291 Před 3 lety

      Thank you to all of you providing interesting information on how things might be on the island !

    • @Bigvaf
      @Bigvaf Před 3 lety

      Several people beat me to it, but the top of that tower was almost certainly part of a range finding system for the batteries.

  • @davegarcia2286
    @davegarcia2286 Před 3 lety +6

    There are three old forts meant to protect the Puget Sound here in Washington state,
    that have the same architecture as in your video. These three installations; Fort Worden, Fort Flagler, and Fort Casey are now Washington State Parks that are beautifully maintained. All three have old military homes that can be rented with trails and camping that are very popular. If my memory holds, I believe there is a Battery Endicott at one of the forts.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +3

      Wow! Just added that to my list. Thanks!

    • @tolson57
      @tolson57 Před rokem

      @@TheHistoryUnderground Fort Casey has 2 10" Disappearing guns emplaced. The guns were originally placed in Battery Warwick at Fort Witt in Subic Bay, Philippines and moved to Fort Casey in 1963.

    • @jlcop
      @jlcop Před 5 měsíci

      There were additional fortifications at Battery Whitman to protect the Deception Pass entrance to Puget Sound and 2 more forts that protected the entrance to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. They were all Endicott period.

  • @RTStx1
    @RTStx1 Před 3 lety +1

    Your one of the few people that when I watch a video you post everything else I stop, this one was amazing; I had no clue about this and study WWII a ton.

  • @jessoc138
    @jessoc138 Před rokem +1

    This is my favourite WWII Urbex channel lol

  • @gerryconstant4914
    @gerryconstant4914 Před 3 lety +4

    Your videos always inform us about little known historical facts regarding our country's history.

  • @johnkelsey2482
    @johnkelsey2482 Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent...You explain the locations very well......Thanks....

  • @kimberlyflick159
    @kimberlyflick159 Před 2 lety +1

    Had to come on and comment because my heart was pounding while you were in Battery Foote! I just knew someone or something was going to jump out!

  • @dennycarlson6097
    @dennycarlson6097 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow! Awesome, awesome. Another place that I will never be able to get to. Thanks for this.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Glad that you liked it! Probably one of the coolest places I've had the chance to visit.

    • @dennycarlson6097
      @dennycarlson6097 Před 3 lety

      @@TheHistoryUnderground to be honest I hadn't known about this before. After watching this I actually googled it . Fascinating stuff. Bringing history to life. .👍

  • @gregorybarr6112
    @gregorybarr6112 Před 3 lety +3

    Great video... very interesting!
    l climbed up a 100 foot forestry tower in Alberta Canada. From the top you could see 35 miles in any direction giving a total view of 70 miles. The ladder was totally exposed though... no covered stairwell!😬

  • @concerned1313
    @concerned1313 Před 3 lety

    Fort Adams in RI is the biggest I think for pre WWII. I have been there several times. We got similar structures regarding WWII in San Diego, San Pedro and San Francisco. They are very fascinating and puts in perspective of what we have today. Thank you and that was awesome!

  • @bradbalderson8172
    @bradbalderson8172 Před 3 lety +2

    Love Portland and it's history, keep up the good work you do!

  • @colbyt9967
    @colbyt9967 Před rokem +1

    From Vermont. Been coming to Maine all my life. Just got back from a boat tour of Portland. Saw those same Forts. Very cool!! You know there was a battle in Portland harbor during the War of the rebellion in 1864. Would be cool to dive on the shipwrecks in Portland. Thanks again JD love your channel 👍👍

  • @aslooijer
    @aslooijer Před 3 lety +3

    Wow. That observation bunker on top of battery Foote really reminds me of the observation bunker on pointe du hoc in Normandy. Fascinating stuff. On to the next place JD

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +2

      I thought the same thing. It seriously felt like I was back in Normandy. Crazy that the U.S. has places like this.

  • @xvsj5833
    @xvsj5833 Před 3 lety +3

    Excellent Adventure , never new this Military post existed. Cool island defense... I love past history and abandoned buildings 🏚 Thank You for sharing 🇺🇸

  • @Shawnroberts1980
    @Shawnroberts1980 Před 3 lety +1

    Who wants to go down the creepy tunnel first? lol...Awesome. Very cool video. Once again, I learned something new. I had no idea these defenses existed.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Ha! That tunnel wasn't anything for a person with an overactive imagination. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  • @scoutharper7091
    @scoutharper7091 Před 3 lety +1

    I live in New Jersey, near Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook. There are so many old buildings that are in such disrepair, and I learned (finally) from this video what they are and what they might look like inside. Fort Hancock has old missal silos (I think that’s what they’re called) and so much history. I wish the buildings there were taken care of better so this part of history could be preserved. Thank you again for another great video!

  • @thequieterubcomethemoreuhe1198

    This is amazing! I had no idea of it's existence! Thank you for taking me here!

  • @stephenrrose
    @stephenrrose Před 2 lety

    I'm thinking a better flashlight might help keep the boogie man away!!!! Great job as always, and still in awe of your selection of music! And your wonderful sense of adventure! "I don't know what it is, but it's cool." Love it!

  • @mattstrevig287
    @mattstrevig287 Před 3 lety +2

    Absolutely amazing at how something like that was built. Another awesome episode, keep up the outstanding work.

  • @matts7377
    @matts7377 Před 3 lety +2

    Love all the videos that you post. After watching, I then go on google maps and explore the areas that you talk about. Keep it up and I'm positive work you are doing will be enjoyed by future generations to come.

  • @michaellaverty1844
    @michaellaverty1844 Před 2 lety

    Very cool, I knew they existed but never actually saw a picture of one much less a tour. Kudos to you for going through those creepy hallways.

  • @steveclark4291
    @steveclark4291 Před 3 lety

    The aerial view gave me goosebumps !

  • @RobinsonRDavid
    @RobinsonRDavid Před 3 lety +4

    That was really cool. Smart of you to bring a drone along. That was some great footage. I only wish there were more photo inserts of what it once was. Still, great sleuthing!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Yeah, I wish that there were some more up close photos of those batteries. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  • @mrDCunningham
    @mrDCunningham Před 3 lety +2

    This is totally fascinating. Never have I ever even heard of this. Wow what an incredible vlog 👍🏻😎

  • @stevecockrell8639
    @stevecockrell8639 Před 3 lety +1

    That was pretty awesome tour. There are a few more, not as big on the south coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Some are at the site of late 18th and 19th century forts. History behind these are truly fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

  • @kevinfrye1188
    @kevinfrye1188 Před 3 lety +2

    I visited there nearly 20 years ago. It’s such a wonderful place.

  • @pierreaucoin2480
    @pierreaucoin2480 Před 3 lety +1

    First off, I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable of Maine history, but I had NO idea this place existed! Thank you for pointing this fascinating place out to me. If I can tolerate Portland to get to the boat I’ll go down and check out this cool part of Maine history.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Ha! Yeah, very cool place. Just a heads up though. It's a private island. Lots of cool stuff to see in that area though!

    • @pierreaucoin2480
      @pierreaucoin2480 Před 3 lety +1

      @@TheHistoryUnderground sorry I missed your visit to Farmington, I live in the area and know Pete, a mover and shaker. Has employed a lot of people! Really good guy!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Absolutely! He and his wife are top notch people.

  • @whippy107
    @whippy107 Před 3 lety

    I remember visiting old WWII coastal batteries at Santa Rosa Island in Florida as a kid. I and my friends also used to mess around at Fort Fremont outside Beaufort, SC as teenagers. Cool stuff!

  • @joninx
    @joninx Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for your dedication. Your channel is amazing!

  • @garyhattrup6881
    @garyhattrup6881 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow, that was cool! Nice to see it hasn't fallen victim to the two legged 'elements' (taggers and so on).

  • @mrbaseball1968
    @mrbaseball1968 Před 6 měsíci

    Again, very interesting to watch.

  • @dconn74
    @dconn74 Před 3 lety +1

    You find some of the coolest places!!

  • @steveclark4291
    @steveclark4291 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you for sharing this very interesting and informative article with me ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .

  • @johnwayneeverett6263
    @johnwayneeverett6263 Před 3 lety +1

    THIS PLACE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BIG TIME....WELL DONE BUDDY

  • @michaeldurham3205
    @michaeldurham3205 Před 3 lety +1

    You do awesome material, been a subscriber for a while now, and never disappointed, cant wait for you to get back to various parts of Europe. Keep up the good work

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Thank you very much! I've got some big plans for Europe after things open back up.

  • @MindOfJigsaw1
    @MindOfJigsaw1 Před 3 lety +10

    Awesome! a piece of lesser known american history.

  • @danwoodliefphotography871

    Great video. We fellow explorers love to watch you explore. My niece is actually moving to Portland, Maine in January after her Marine Corps enlistment ends.

  • @martinfey578
    @martinfey578 Před 3 lety +1

    another very interesting subject/video. Great work.

  • @Carolbearce
    @Carolbearce Před 3 lety +1

    Wow, amazing to see. Thanks for sharing.

  • @willdouglas77
    @willdouglas77 Před 3 lety +2

    First have to say this is by far my favorite channel on CZcams hands down . Everything about the channel is awesome so please keep doing what you are doing . I have lived in Ft Washington Md my whole life and would love if you came and did a video on the Forts here . The location is on the Potomac outside of DC and I know you would kill it like all of your video . Safe travels and keep rocking brother 👍🏼🙏🏻

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks so much for that. It means a lot that you’re enjoying the content. Definitely hope to get out to Maryland at some point and hit some of those forts.

  • @irishgip71
    @irishgip71 Před 3 lety +1

    Another great one sir. I originally lived in PA until I enlisted in Army and never took advantage of seeing historical stuff on east coast. I have to go back!!! Thank you sir

  • @bartmiddel8738
    @bartmiddel8738 Před 3 lety +1

    the part to see that nature is taking over is facinating to me!!

  • @nrpittard1
    @nrpittard1 Před 3 lety +1

    I live on the west coast of Oregon. We have these structures at the mouth of the Columbia River on the Oregon and Washington sides of the river. They were built shortly after the Civil War. They have cleaned them up and you can roam around through them.

  • @chrisc.2591
    @chrisc.2591 Před 3 lety +3

    Cool look into the structures and grateful it didn’t turn into “found footage” of a missing history guy!

  • @gaylewilliamson9183
    @gaylewilliamson9183 Před 3 lety +1

    Truly awesome!! I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE.THANK YOU SO MUCH.👍👍☺👵

  • @deanbacon8245
    @deanbacon8245 Před 2 lety +1

    So neat ! Thanks for the tag along

  • @sammintz1103
    @sammintz1103 Před 3 lety +1

    Really cool to see thanks for showing!

  • @rubyait
    @rubyait Před 2 lety +1

    I have been around this by boat and looked at it from Portland Headlight, which you started from. You had a great view of Ram Island Ledge Light. I had no idea that the batteries were so extensive. Thanks for this,

  • @maggegene
    @maggegene Před 3 lety

    If you are ever in Washington, around Port Angeles, there are defenses all along the coast of the Strait of Juan De Fuca between the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula and Canada that are pretty creepy and being lost to the forest and erosion. I explored one, on one occasion, but didn't have a light to go inside.
    Your videos are so inspiring and beautiful. Thank you.

  • @ColoKansas
    @ColoKansas Před 3 lety +3

    First off, love the channel. It was funny, as soon as the video started, I was thinking "man that looks like Maine"
    Also,
    Did you make it to J's Oyster Bar while you were there? Best hole in the wall place for oysters, right on the dock. Authentic as hell. Portland is great!

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks! And no, I didn't make it to J's. I did hit up a place that had a lobster grilled cheese sandwich. I show that in a later episode. Glad that you enjoyed it! Love that state.

  • @robbie.205
    @robbie.205 Před 3 lety +1

    Absolutely love it. Thank you.

  • @justinweaver8787
    @justinweaver8787 Před 3 lety +1

    Another quality ww2 video thank you for all you do.

  • @_Dave_S
    @_Dave_S Před rokem

    Awesome video! These old coastal forts and gun emplacements fascinate me. There are a few in my area, including Fort Mansfield (Watch Hill, RI), Fort Trumbull (New London, CT) and Fort Griswold (Groton, CT). If you are ever in southeast CT, I would highly recommend seeing both Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold. Both were involved in the Battle of Groton Heights during the Revolutionary War (the British attack was lead by Benedict Arnold). So much interesting history to be seen here in the US.

  • @darrylkelley3553
    @darrylkelley3553 Před 3 lety +2

    I agree that a trip to Portsmouth Naval Prison would be an excellent episode. There are several books on the subject and many in the Marine Corps that were stationed there are probably still around to share their experiences.

  • @hargas1974
    @hargas1974 Před 3 lety +3

    If you ever travel to the Oregon coast, you should check out Fort Stevens and on the Washington side, Fort Canby. Awesome video, sir. Thank you.

  • @steveclark4291
    @steveclark4291 Před 3 lety +1

    I would love to be able to see this place in person !

  • @johnreinburg859
    @johnreinburg859 Před 3 lety +2

    You need to go to Hawaii and see Battery Randolph at Fort DeRussy. Battery Randolph was part of the coastal defense of the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1900's. Also, Battery Randolph has been converted to a military museum.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety +1

      That is quite high on my list. It's high on my wife's list as well, but for different reasons :)

  • @derfreklats7921
    @derfreklats7921 Před 3 lety +1

    Let’s not forget Montauk Point,NY. Camp Hero with gun emplacements it was just opened to the public a few years back. Also part of the Manhattan project. PS awesome channel. Thankyou for sharing.

  • @illu66
    @illu66 Před 3 lety +1

    Very intresting video. I did my military service in coastal artillery late 80's in Finland and this took me back to those days.

  • @richardduncan7924
    @richardduncan7924 Před 3 lety +1

    Really enjoyed this one. Never knew this was up there. And Fort Scammel across the bay looks equally impressive.

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      Yeah, I really wanted to go there. That's a private island though and I couldn't make contact with anyone. With how quick this trip was, I'm not sure that I would've had time anyway. Good excuse to go back, I guess :)

  • @benjaminrush4443
    @benjaminrush4443 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks. More Learning.

  • @craigconn7424
    @craigconn7424 Před 3 lety +1

    That was so amazing wow so cool to see that. Thanks the great video love it take care

    • @TheHistoryUnderground
      @TheHistoryUnderground  Před 3 lety

      I was pretty blown away. I had no clue what I was walking into there. Glad that you enjoyed it!

  • @WildRapier
    @WildRapier Před 2 měsíci

    Fort Wetherill on Jamestown, RI has similar structures and a lot of (now) plated up tunnels, some leading to sheer cliffside! Now I realize all the concrete semi-circles were for the guns!