Scoveston Fort facts for kids
Scoveston Fort is an old fort located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in the United Kingdom. It sits on the northern shore of the Milford Haven Waterway, which is a large natural harbor. This fort is a special building, known as a Grade II Listed Building, meaning it's important and protected because of its history.
Scoveston Fort was part of a bigger plan to defend the Milford Haven area. It was built on high ground, giving it great views of the countryside. It was also the only fort in the area built inland, away from the coast.
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Why Was Scoveston Fort Built?
The British government decided to build several forts to protect the important harbor at Milford Haven. This decision came after a special group, called the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, suggested it. They wanted to protect the towns of Milford Haven and Neyland from possible attacks.
At first, there was a plan for six forts. But after a review, they decided to build only Scoveston Fort. It was meant to be a strong defense point for the area.
Building the Fort
Construction of Scoveston Fort started in 1861 and finished in 1864. It cost about £45,462 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
The fort has a unique hexagonal, or six-sided, shape. It was surrounded by a wide ditch, about 36 feet across, called an escarpment. Around the fort, there was a raised wall called a rampart. At each corner of the rampart, there was a special protected area called a caponier. The back of the fort was protected by a large dirt mound.
To get inside, people had to cross a drawbridge. This bridge led to a tunnel that went through a small gorge.
How the Fort Was Used
Scoveston Fort was designed to hold 128 soldiers. It was also planned to have 32 guns to defend the area. However, because of the cost and changing needs for forts, the guns were never actually installed.
The fort was never used as a permanent home for soldiers. Instead, it became a training camp for volunteers and local soldiers.
Scoveston Fort in Wartime
During World War I, the fort became more active. To protect the important dockyards in Milford Haven, Neyland, and Pembroke Dock, a complex system of trenches was dug around the fort. These trenches stretched from Waterston all the way to Llangwm. They were built to defend against any attacks coming from the land.
In World War II, Scoveston Fort was used in different ways. It served as an air raid shelter for people living in Neyland, keeping them safe during bombings. Later, it was used as a warehouse to store military supplies. These supplies were being gathered for D-Day, the famous invasion of Normandy.
After the Wars
After the wars ended, the fort was left empty. Only a single caretaker looked after it. Today, Scoveston Fort is overgrown with plants and is not open for people to visit.
Images for kids
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The sealed entrance of Scoveston Fort
