Local businesses volunteer to repair and restore USS Portland mainmast and popular flagpole
Portland, Maine - This week, the City of Portland with help with several local businesses including Cianbro, Horizon Solutions, Hertz Equipment Rental, Glidden Professional Paint, Spectrum Auto Body Supply, Gorham Flag, Maine Marine Supply and Hamilton Marine completed repairs to both the mainmast of the USS Portland located at the Fort Allen Park along the Eastern Promenade and the flag pole located atop Fort Gorges. As a result of exposure and weather damage, more than a dozen holes had formed along the mainmast of the heavy Navy cruiser. Cianbro volunteered to lead the repair effort by patching the damage and repainting the structure, which should preserve the historic landmark for years to come. Also succumbing to the elements, the halyard for the Fort Gorges flag pole was snapped this past spring during a storm. As a result, no flag could be flown over the island. Local businesses partnered to repair the pole, install new lighting and provide a new flag, which can now be seen flying over the fort.
Authorized on February 13, 1929, the USS Portland, a heavy cruiser known as Sweet Pea, played a crucial role for the Navy during WWII. The Portland was involved in a number of battles during the war and in one on November 13, 1942, the ship took a torpedo hit, which blew off both inboard propellers and jammed the rudder. Even though the steering damage forced the ship to steam in circles during the battle, the Portland was still able to defend itself and sink the Japanese destroyer, Yudachi.
