North Point Battery, North Point [1879-c.1922]

Submitted by Rob on Mon, 03/19/2012 - 21:43
Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists
Date completed
(Day & Month are approximate.)
Date closed / demolished
(Day, Month, & Year are approximate.)

Year completed is: Accurate
Condition at last visit: Demolished
Date of last visit: Jul-1998
Ref: ROB-00138
Other:

Timeline:

  • 1879: Constructed.  (WO 78/2607).
  • 1879: Initial Armament: 1 x 7" RML gun, 2 x 9" RML 12 ton guns, 1 x 8" Howitzer.  (WO 78/2607).
  • 1886: 2 x 9" RML 12 ton guns mounted: 1 x 9" RML 12 ton gun, 2 x 7" RML guns, 1 x 8" Howitzer approved.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1889: 1 x 9" RML 12 ton gun, 2 x 7" RML guns, 1 x 8" Howitzer. Revision to 2 x 9" RML 12 ton guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1894: 2 x 9" RML guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1897: 2 x 9" RML Guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1900: 2 x 9" RML guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1901: 2 x 9" RML guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1903: 2 x 9" RML guns mounted, 2 x 6" BL guns recommended. (WO 78/4131).
  • 1904: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns approved, 2 x 9" RML guns mounted.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1905: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1906: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1907: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns, to be reduced.  (CAB 11/57).
  • 1909: Not listed.
  • 1920: Site transferred to the Colonial Government by memo October 1920 and June 1922.  (WO 78/6009).

For a background to these notes, and a glossary of terms used, please see: http://gwulo.com/node/24630  

Photos that show this Place

1899
1905
????

Comments

I went on a hunt for this battery a few months ago to see if anything was left, as its possible one of the gun pits survived until at least the 1960's  Unfortunately with redevelopment into a park nothing now remains. The actual location of the battery is Today Fortress Hill Playground, next ot Fortress Hill Methodist Secondary School. The only physical evidence of the Fort at Fortress Hill that remains today is the road to the east called Fort Street, likely leading to the entrance of the Fort at one time

 

Terrific Thunderstorm in Hong Kong

A thunderstorm of most unusual violence, accompanied by heavy rain and wind raged over Hong Kong during the 22nd ultimo.....The batteries in course of erection have suffered considerably by the washing away of the earthworks, and one of the guns at North Point Battery slipped down the embankment. Hong Kong Daily Press 1 June 1878 refers.

"The permanent battery erected at North Point has now been completed, and it is in contemplation to mount there, during the course of next week, five wrought-iron M. L. R. 7-inch, 6 1/2 ton guns."

Source: China Mail 21 January 1882