The map shows the plan of Falmouth (now Portland) as it appeared the day before its destruction by the British captain Mowat October 18, 1775. The original map, of which this is a copy, was drawn by John Pointer.

The ships in the harbor are British naval vessels commanded by Henry Mowat: the Spitfire Bomb, Cat, and Canceau.

This map was drawn in 1883 by George N. Fernald, who was assistant city engineer in Portland.