Popton Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Popton Fort |
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| Milford Haven Wales |
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View from Popton Fort, looking out towards Milford Haven with Stack Rock Fort in the centre distance
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| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1859-64 |
| In use | Company headquarters |
| Materials | Stone |
Popton Fort is a historic building located in Milford Haven, Wales. It was finished in 1864 and was an important part of the defenses for Milford Haven. It worked together with Fort Hubberstone on the other side of the water to protect the area. Popton Fort is considered a special historical site, known as a Grade II* Listed Building.
Building a Strong Fort
Work on Popton Fort began in 1859 and took five years to complete, finishing in 1864. It cost a lot of money at the time, about £76,000. The fort was built with strong stone walls that were wider at the bottom and got narrower towards the top. It had a special shape with six sides and pointy sections called bastions at each corner.
Fort Defenses
To protect the fort, there was a large, clear area of sloping ground in front of it. This made it hard for enemies to approach without being seen. On one side, there was also a deep ditch. Inside the fort, there were many powerful guns. It had eleven large guns, each weighing 12 tons, placed in special protected rooms called casemates. There were also ten more guns placed in open areas.
Life Inside the Fort
Popton Fort was designed to house many soldiers. It had barracks where up to ten officers, five staff sergeants, and 158 other soldiers could live. The fort also had important facilities for the soldiers. These included a canteen where they could eat, washrooms for hygiene, and even a hospital in case anyone got sick or injured.
The fort was divided into two main sections for its guns. On the west side was the Moncrieff Battery, and on the north side was the Open Battery. These sections helped the fort cover different angles of attack.
Popton Fort Through the Years
At the beginning of the 1900s, Popton Fort was no longer actively used by the military. However, it became important again during the Second World War. It was used once more to help protect the area during this major conflict.
In 1957, a company called BP bought the fort. They wanted to use it as part of an oil terminal. The fort was renovated, which means it was repaired and updated. Even though it was fixed up, it was not opened to the public. Today, Popton Fort is part of the Valero's Angle Bay Refinery. It remains private property and is not open for visits.
The fort was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building in 1996. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
