Cianbro and other local businesses donate materials and services for the $150,000 restoration of the USS Portland's aft mast

9/17/2008 3:23:56 PM - USS Portland Rehabilitation Project to begin this Week

Cianbro and other local businesses donate materials and services for the $150,000 restoration of the ship's aft mast

What: Beginning this week, the City of Portland in partnership with Cianbro and other local businesses will commence a two week restoration project of the USS Portland's mainmast. The mast is part of a memorial including the USS Portland's bell and bridge shield at the Fort Allen Park along the Eastern Promenade. The memorial was installed and dedicated at the park July 4, 1962.

The restoration project estimated at $150,000 includes sandblasting the exterior paint, clean-up and repair to the structure and repainting. The long deserved restoration is the result of the commitment and hard work of city staff, local businesses and citizens. Through this partnership, the project will be completed entirely through donations of time and materials.

Authorized 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.



Due to the USS Portland's outstanding record during the war, the ship was selected as the site for the surrender of the headquarters of Japan's forces in the Pacific. The signing of these documents took place at the same hour on September 2, 1945 as the ceremonies aboard the battleship Missouri.



Following the war, the Portland was a part of the massive effort to transport American troops home from Europe, known as Operation Magic Carpet. On her second voyage, the Portland encountered a violent hurricane with seas up to one hundred feet. The storm was so rough that the New York Times erroneously reported the Portland had been lost at sea. Damage from the storm was severe and caused the death of two men with two others swept out to sea and more than fifty injured. Upon its return to New York, the ship was declared unseaworthy and was decommissioned July 12, 1946.



Retired Navy Captain Arthur Forrestall led the effort to salvage the pieces of the USS Portland and bring them to Maine. The city's USS Portland collection also includes the ship's brass steering wheel, a compass, the builder's plate and silver service.

Who: Mayor Ed Suslovic, Cianbro staff, city staff and Bill Whitten, a local citizen that led the donation campaign, will be available to speak with the press about the restoration project.

"The City of Portland is incredibly indebted to the brave service of the sailors on the USS Portland and we are tremendously grateful to Cianbro and others for making this long deserve restoration a reality," stated Mayor Suslovic.

When: Thursday, September 18, 2008
10:30 AM

Where: Fort Allen Park
Eastern Promenade, Portland