Fort Monckton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Monckton |
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| Gosport, England | |
Aerial view of the fort
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| Type | Battery, later training site |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Complete |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1779-1790 |
| In use | 1790-1956 (as battery) 1956-present (as training site) |
Fort Monckton is an old military fort located in Gosport, Hampshire, England. It sits on the eastern side of Stokes Bay. The fort was built on the remains of an even older castle called Haselworth Castle.
Its main purpose was to protect Portsmouth Harbour from attacks. Construction began during the American Revolutionary War, and it was later rebuilt in the 1880s as a strong Palmerston fort. Today, it's still used by the military.
Contents
History of Fort Monckton
Haselworth Castle: The First Fort (1545-1556)
The story of Fort Monckton begins with an earlier fort. This fort was called Haselworth or Haselford Castle. It was built in 1545 during the time of King Henry VIII.
The castle was not heavily armed. Old drawings show it had a round tower and an outer wall. But it was abandoned just 11 years later, in 1556. This happened after a review by the Marquis of Winchester.
A map from 1587 mentions the castle was "beaten downe by King Philip." This might refer to a story. The story says the castle was destroyed because it didn't salute King Philip II of Spain in 1554. Even after it was ruined, the castle was still marked on maps until 1788. Most experts believe Fort Monckton stands on the exact spot of this old castle.
Building the New Fort (1779-1790)
For a long time, people knew Portsmouth Harbour needed better protection. But nothing was done until 1779. This was when the American Revolutionary War began. That's when work started on a new fort.
The Governor of Portsmouth, Lt. General Sir Robert Monckton, asked his engineer, Lt. Col. John Archer, to design defenses for Stokes Bay. In 1779, an old sea marker was removed. This cleared the way for a temporary fort. It was made of a 6-foot thick earth bank. This bank was held up by bundles of brushwood.
However, this temporary fort was not very strong. In 1780, soldiers' tents blew away in the wind. The location was so open that ships used it as a landmark.
Archer then suggested building a permanent fort. This plan was approved in July 1780. The new fort was first called The Fort at Gilkicker. Building started in September 1780. But progress was slow. They used regular workers and sometimes forced laborers.
The design also faced criticism. Charles Lennox, the Duke of Richmond, became Master-General of the Ordnance in 1782. He was not happy with the plans. Archer was removed from his job in 1783. Another engineer, James Glenie, took over but was also removed in 1784.
Construction slowed down again. After more arguments about its design and name, the fort was finally finished. It was completed in 1789 or 1790. It was renamed Fort Monckton to honor Robert Monckton, who had passed away. This was just before the French Revolution began in 1793.
Fort Monckton as a Battery (1790-1956)
In the early 1800s, some extra work was done. The barracks, where soldiers lived, were expanded. More rooms were added for officers. A sea wall was built along the beach. A small fort was also added in the northeast.
By the 1860s, Fort Monckton was considered too small and old. It couldn't properly defend Spithead, a key anchorage. So, a new fort, Fort Gilkicker, was built instead. Fort Monckton was given a smaller role in protecting Portsmouth Harbour.
Not much changed at the fort during this time. The gun positions were updated for new weapons. The fort was often used as a good spot to watch naval fleet reviews. These were big parades of navy ships. The Illustrated London News showed pictures of these events in 1856 and 1858.
In 1875, experiments with electric lights were done at Stokes Bay. A powerful light was placed on the fort's southwest side. More tests followed with other types of lights. These were used for sending signals between the shore and ships.
In 1878, the Royal Engineers moved into the fort. They trained there to use naval mines and searchlights. In 1879, a fake attack on Fort Monckton was staged. This was part of torpedo experiments at Stokes Bay. The fort was a great place for observers and the public to watch.
In 1880, another naval demonstration happened near the fort. The 4th Company of Submarine Miners of the Royal Engineers occupied the fort. They moved out in 1884. After that, Fort Monckton was used to house Royal Engineer Militia during their yearly training.
During World War I, anti-aircraft searchlights were placed at the fort. In World War II, an anti-aircraft artillery unit was stationed there. After World War II, the fort was mostly left empty. However, the Ministry of Defence kept it. It remained armed until 1956, when coastal artillery was no longer used.
No.1 Military Training Establishment (1956-Present)
Today, Fort Monckton is the only fort in the Portsmouth area still owned by the British Army. It is located next to the Stokes Bay Golf Course. Many of the original parts of the fort are still there. These include the bastions (strong parts of the wall), sea-facing casemates (rooms for guns), the guard room, and a caponier (a covered passage). The surrounding ditch is also still present.
The fort still has its original drawbridge. It is also protected by modern security features. These include razor wire fences, CCTV cameras, and bright lights. The site has been changed a lot over the years. New offices and living spaces have been added. Part of an artificial lake was filled in during the 1970s.
Security at the site is handled by a civilian guard force. It is not managed by the MoD Police. The British Army now calls it No.1 Military Training Establishment. It is used by the Ministry of Defence.
Some books suggest that Fort Monckton is a training center for the Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6. Former MI6 officer Richard Tomlinson wrote in his book The Big Breach that it's where MI6 personnel get their field training. This includes basic and advanced skills. They also train with other special forces, like the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service. The book "Agent Storm" also mentions the site as an MI6 training center.
Armament: Fort Monckton's Guns
In 1872, the fort's weapons were quite old. It had a mix of smooth bore guns. These included two 8-inch guns, nine 32-pounder guns, two 24-pounder guns, six 18-pounder guns, and two 12-pounder guns. It also had two 7-inch Rifled Breech Loading guns.
It was suggested to update these weapons. The plan was to use five 7-inch R.M.L. guns and six 64-pounder R.M.L. guns. By 1886, the fort had eleven 8-inch S.B. guns, five 7-inch R.B.L. guns, and six 64-pounder R.M.L. guns.
By 1891, the number of weapons was reduced. The fort then had six 64-pounder R.M.L. guns. Two of these were on sliding carriages, and four were on standing carriages. These guns were placed on Bastions 1, 2, and 5. At this time, the fort could house eight officers and 70 non-commissioned officers and soldiers. There were also quarters for 15 married soldiers.
