Did you know that Camden at one time had two forts? They were on the east and west sides of the Harbor during the War of 1812. Trouble between Great Britain and the United States had been growing for quite some time. The British maintained that they had the right to seize Americans for duty in the British army and navy because they were still British subjects. (Once a British subject, always a British subject in their eyes.) This didn’t sit well with the Americans however and neither did Britain’s seizing of American ships. 

War was eventually declared on June 18, 1812. It wasn’t until July of 1814 however, that there was a nearby incident which induced the people of Camden to make their own precautions to protect their town.  What had happened was that two British armed vessels appeared in the night and sent barges filled with men to take the fort situated below Thomaston.

There was only an old man and his wife in the block house so the enemy quickly destroyed the fort.

The countryside was alerted and Camden stationed guards from the Harbor to Clam Cove.

Soon afterwards the two forts were erected — one on Eaton’s Point located near what became the steamboat wharf and the other on Jacob’s Point situated south of the lime kilns — now the Yacht Club and near Bay Road. Both of these forts were erected at the same time with approximately 100 men working together for just a couple of days.

The fortification on Jacob’s Point was said to be of crescent form and about 40 feet in length. It was 8 or 10 feet in height and 3 or 4 feet in thickness.

Inside there was a platform which elevated the soldiers so they could rest their muskets on the top of the breastwork or earthwork. On the platform were two canons which shot 12 pound balls. The barrack building was located on the northerly side of the fortress and the guard-house was located about 330 feet to the south near the shore were the enemy could be more easily seen. The fortification on Eaton’s Point was built nearly opposite the one on Jacob’s Point and was very much like it. 

After the forts were completed, a party of Camden men cleared a road up the western slope of Mount Battie in order to plant two 12-pounders at the summit. Barracks were also erected and ammunitions were provided for the six men who were stationed there. In the town more guards were also posted. With these preparations made, the citizens in the town were much relieved and confident that they were now provided with the protection they needed.

However, there were many skirmishes on land and sea as well as assaults on the citizens of Camden before this war was over. The Treaty of Peace was signed at Ghent, Belgium on December 24, 1814; but the news did not reach Camden until February 14, 1815 at midnight.

The glad tidings were spread by the firing of guns, the 4-pounders in the two forts roared out, bonfires were kindled.  Citizens also went to the Mt Battie summit to bring the two 12-pounders and one 18-pounder into the celebration to proclaim the fact that the longed for peace had come at last. These large cannons in an elevated position made such a thunder-like sound that the people in town were highly moved. The echoes were heard over adjacent waters, hills and distant valleys and the firing of the guns lasted through the day. In the evening there was a public dance, finishing off the day of heart-felt celebrations and demonstrations of joy.

A short time after the end of the War, the timber and dirt were hauled away from the site. So, today, there are no longer any remains of these forts. And, as Historian John Locke wrote in his book published in 1859, (see reference below), if the position of these fortifications had not been pointed out to him by one who knew the site well, he would never have been able to find them.

Even then, nothing was left except a few knolls and ridges.

As John Locke felt as early as 1857, it is a pity that the only relics that remain to remind us have been demolished. But perhaps this story is worth sharing as it is one of the most important events in Camden’s local history.

Researched and written by Dawna Pine, Camden Historic Resources Committee

*Information from: The Sketches of the History of the Town of Camden, Maine by John Lymburner Locke, first published in 1859.