Fort Lytton is the birthplace of Queensland's military history. It is a 19th century coastal fort in the suburb of Lytton in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The name “Fort Lytton” is also used to describe the 259 hectare (640 acres or one square mile) military base that once contained the fort. Fort Lytton was built in 1880-1882, and operated until after the Second World War (“WW2”). The fort, and some of the surrounding military base, are now contained in Fort Lytton National Park. The park is open to the public on Sundays and most public holidays. Guided tours are provided by Fort Lytton Historical Association, a non-profit volunteer organisation.
Colonial Fort edit
Fort Lytton was built in 1880–81 to protect Brisbane and its port facilities from attack from naval vessels entering the Brisbane River. The fort is located close to the (then) mouth of the river, on its south bank. Protection is provided by a pentagonal earth-mound wall, with buildings, gun-pits, casemates, magazines, onbservation posts etc. built into the wall. The fort occupies nearly a hectare (2 acres) of land, and is further protected by a surrounding water-filled moat.
The fort's main armaments were a submarine minefield in the Brisbane River, and four gun-pits, each housing a large gun. The minefield was extremely "high-tech" for the 1880s. It consisted of up to 49 submerged mines, each electrically remote-controlled from the fort. The minefield was illuminated at night by an electrically-operated searchlight (to detect enemy attempts to disable the mines). The electricity was produced in Fort Lytton's own power station. The long-range guns in the fort were also extremely high-tech. They were breech loaders that fired six inch diameter shells up to 8km (~4ml, and could penetrate up to 12inches (30cm) of steel plate, which was more than a match for the warships of the day. Furthermore, they were "disappearing guns" i.e. they were loaded and aimed in an underground gun-pit, then popped up above ground for a few seconds to fire. This meant that neither the guns nor the gun-crews were unnecessarily exposed to enemy fire.
Federation edit
In 1901 the Australian colonies became a Federation, the "Commonwealth of Australia". By this time the defence reserve containing Fort Lytton had been extended to a full square mile (640 acres or 259 hectares). There was a second fort (redout) built on the top of Lytton Hill, about 1300 yards (1200m) east of the Fort. Lytton Hill was the only hill inside the defence reserve, and provided a great lookout for movements of ships in the river or out at sea, and movements of invading forces on land. Fort Lytton could be informed of such movements by telegraph. The redout was designed to be occupied in times of emergency by a mobile force of infantry and field artillery, which could move out to engage any invading forces attacking Fort Lytton. The number of gun-pits at Fort Lytton had increased to six, two of which were outside the moat, and there were also two machine gun positions.
By 1908, the submarine minefield was disbanded. Fig x shows the last mine being exploded in the river.
First World War edit
Fort Lytton was mainly a training camp, and transit point for troops serving overseas. During WW1 Fort Lytton fired the only two shots it ever fired "in anger". They were fired to warn a Dutch steamer and a fishing vessel which tried to ignore the official procedure before going upriver.
Second World War edit
By 1943 there were 4 new coastal forts out in Moreton Bay (Forts Bribie and Skirmish on Moreton Island, and Forts Cowan and Rous on Moreton Island). These new forts each operated remote-controlled minefields backed by 6 inch guns. Fort Lytton's role changed from being the main base defending Brisbane to being the inner defence controlling access to the Brisbane River. It operated a boom net and gate across the river, with backup including a 4.7 inch naval gun, a twin 6 pounder gun and numerous 50 cal. machine guns. Before ships were allowed to enter the river, they had to be boarded and inspected by a team of inspectors from the Fort. The fort also contained an anti-aircraft radar station, and signal station, and both heavy and light anti-aircraft batteries. These defences were particularly import because Brisbane housed Gen. Douglas MacArthur's "Supreme Allied Headquarters (South Pacific)" and because 88 US submarines were based in the Brisbane River.\
Photos Temporary edit
Inside of Fort Disappearing gun above surface Mine being exploded Easter Encampment Boom Net and gate
Notes edit
External Links edit
Category:National parks of South East Queensland Category:Protected areas established in 1990 Category:Register of the National Estate Category:Forts in Australia Category:Buildings and structures in Brisbane Category:Government buildings completed in 1881 Category:Parks in Brisbane Category:Museums in Queensland Category:Military and war museums in Australia Category:Queensland Heritage Register Category:Military buildings and structures in Queensland Category:Lytton, Queensland