A ship passes Fort Popham

Morning sunrise comes first to Maine. 3000 + miles of granite and pine coastline protect the state from both the curious and the hostile.

Maine’s first ship, built at Popham Beach in 1607, took pioneer explorers back to England. Colonial invaders didn’t last long.

Fort Popham, above, was one of several granite bastions constructed along the coast  to protect the Yankees in case the Civil War reached New England. The Confederates never did.

The chain mail reached across Portland harbor during World War II, protected Maine’s largest city from Nazi U-boats that lurked in less protected coastal areas. A U-boat did reach Popham beach without incident.

They still build ships in Maine. Above, tugs guide a modern ship toward the open ocean for sea trials.