Middle Head Fortifications

Coordinates: 33°49′38″S 151°16′04″E / 33.827169°S 151.267855°E / -33.827169; 151.267855

Gun emplacements

The Middle Head Fortifications consist of the Outer Middle Head Battery located at the end of Old Fort Road, the Inner Middle Head Battery located at the end of Governors Road, and the Obelisk batteries reached by a path from the corner of Middle Head Road and Chowder Bay Road, Middle Head, Mosman, New South Wales. The fortifications at Middle Head formed part of Sydney Harbour's defences.

History

RML gun being removed in 1891
Inside the underground fortress tunnel network

The first fort at Middle Head was built in 1801 and the last batteries were constructed in 1942. The majority of the fortifications were built between 1870 and 1911. The site contains the works of several periods and technologies, which remain in place for review today. Historically it dates from the time when defence was first moved away from Sydney Cove and towards The Heads.[1]

There were three sets of fortifications built in Mosman and Middle Head in the 1870s, these were upgraded in the 1880s on the advice of British experts. These fortifications still exist and are now heritage listed, they are, the Lower Georges Heights Commanding Position, the Georges Head Battery and a smaller fort located on Bradleys Head, known as the Bradleys Head Fortification Complex.

The battery on Middle Head built in 1871 was designed by James Barnet, a colonial architect. The fort was built on a strategic location and received many additions until 1911. It formed part of a network of 'outer harbour' defences. They were designed to fire at enemy ships as they attempted entry through the Sydney Heads. The whole area is linked by an extensive network of underground tunnels, ancillary rooms, gunpowder magazine and a disappearing gun emplacement. The site has its own underground power room that is supported by iron columns. Rooms located below ground were used to train some of Australia's first troops who were sent to Vietnam in 'Code of Conduct' courses, which were lessons in how to withstand torture and interrogation, by simulating prisoner of war conditions.[2]

In 1974 the Middle Head fortifications featured in the movie Stone.

In 1979 most of the area became national park and the military has moved on to more strategic locations. The army base on site which included the transport group and 30 Terminal Squadron, left Georges Height's in 1997. The Headquarters Training Command section relocated to the Victoria Barracks in 2002.[3]

The Officers Quarters

A side view of the officers quarters with fortified wall in view

The Officers quarters is a Victorian Regency style building that was built on a rough stone base. It was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and is considered to be one of the most significant buildings at Middle Head. The site incorporates a defensive ditch or moat and includes a fortification wall. The house looking in the direction of Middle Harbour meant that it could be used for surveillance purposes as well.

One former resident was Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges KCB CMG, the first commander of the Australian Imperial Force and the commander of Australian forces at Gallipoli. Throsby Bridges was killed by a sniper whilst leading the forces at Gallipoli. His warhorse Sandy was brought back to Australia, seeing out its days in Victoria.

Primarily used as a residence this building originally housed two officers separately, a senior and junior officer.

During World War II this building served as a Red Cross Hospital and later as accommodation for the Australian Women’s Army Service. The house continues to be used as a residence.[4]

Restoration

RML 10 inch gun being dismantled at the fortification in 1893 and the remains of a former depression range finding station

Extensive restoration work has been conducted by the 'Sydney Harbour Federation Trust' which has revived many of the old buildings.

An underground power room supported by iron columns that was used to train some of Australia's first troops that were sent to Vietnam in 'Code of Conduct' courses with tigers cages pictured on the left and gun emplacements

The sites facilities include:

References

  1. ↑ "Place ID 2872". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment.
  2. ↑ Cities of the Underworld - Alcatraz Down Under - Middle Head Fortification - 4/5. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2016 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Sites - Headland Park
  4. ↑ Department of Environment and Conservation New South Wales Plaque found on site, Middle Head.
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