Castine: Maine History at Every Turn

Steam ship Cangarda, built 1901, in Castine harbor August 6, 2010

Visitors to Acadia National Park soon learn about the devastating 1947 fire which wiped out much of the evidence of early settlement on Mount Desert Island. Fortunately an hour or so away there is a genuine jewel of  history, Castine.

Known variously through history as Pentagoet, Bagaduce and finally Castine, it lies on a peninsula at the mouth of a “huricane hole”, a natural harbor offering substantial protection from bad weather. Also, the high elevations offer good lookout and cannon sites. For these reasons, Castine was a coveted military settlement since 1626, and unlike Bar Harbor, many of the colonial structures remain. There were more invasions and flags flying over Castine than are easily summarized, but here goes:

English, 1626-1632;

French, 1632-1654;

English, 1654-1670;

French, 1670-1674;

Flemish/Dutch, 1674-1687;

French, 1687-1690;

English, 1690-1693.

Let’s not forget the Indians, who played their military hand as well. Things settled down a bit during the early 1700s with a truce of sorts between the English and the commercial interests of Frenchman Baron Castine. Things heated up again in 1779 when the English dug in for a fight with Washington’s rebels. They got the chance in 1780 when an American force of 19 armed vessels and 24 transports stormed the peninsula. Colonel Paul Revere was in charge of the munitions. The outcome of this battle was not one of America’s proud military moments, as the overly-cautious commander Dudley Saltonstall gave the order to retreat. British ships soon arrived and chased Saltonstall’s fleet up the Penobscot River, where he ran them aground and set them all ablaze. His troops then headed back to Boston by foot. Revere was acquitted of any wrongdoing in this debacle, but his reputation suffered. This has been long known as the greatest defeat of the American side in New England during the Revolutionary War, and our greatest Naval defeat of all time.

Throughout the town are signs marking historical structures and events. With a little advance preparation like reading Redcoats at Castine, available at Seacat’s Rest, a visitor can relive this exciting history. Visit the lighthouse and the earthworks of the two forts or take a tour of the huge 500 foot State of Maine, the floating classroom of Maine Maritime Academy. Quick or sit-down restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops are plentiful. You won’t need your passport, Castine has been in American control since April 28, 1816.

Related Posts:

• Slavery and Maine
• The Penobscot Expedition Disaster