Smiths Hill Fort facts for kids
Smiths Hill Fort was an old fort located in North Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. People also called this fort Wollongong Fort. It was built a long time ago to protect the area.
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History of Smiths Hill Fort
Smiths Hill Fort was built between 1891 and 1893. Its main purpose was to protect Wollongong Harbour. At that time, there was a fear of a possible attack from Russia. The fort was meant to scare away any potential invaders.
What the Fort Looked Like
The fort was a hidden military base. It was built on high ground overlooking Wollongong Harbour. It had secret underground rooms. These rooms were used to store supplies and ammunition. They also provided shelter for soldiers. The fort had special spots for two large 80-pound cannons. It also had a smaller 1 1/2 inch quick-firing gun.
How the Fort Was Used
Soldiers used Smiths Hill Fort a lot for training. A local military group, the Wollongong-Bulli Half Company, took care of the fort. They made sure it was always ready.
Later Years and Restoration
In 1946, the fort was filled with rubble and dirt. It was no longer needed for defense. However, in 1988, the fort was dug out again. It was carefully restored to its original state. Two cannons were also brought back and placed at the fort.
Weapons at Smiths Hill Fort
The fort was equipped with several powerful weapons to defend the harbour.
- 2 x RML 80 pound guns: These were large cannons. They could fire heavy shells a long distance.
- 1 x 1 1/2 inch Nordenfelt quick firing gun: This was a smaller, faster gun. It could fire many shots quickly.
