Battery Hill Reserve, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia
Posted by: 
bucketeer
S 38° 23.300 E 142° 14.600
54H E 608584 N 5750365
Port Fairy battery, like many in Victoria, was built in the 1870's to defend against an imaginary Russian threat.
Waymark Code: WM6AG0
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 05/03/2009
Views: 5
The reserve contains a total 6 guns including 2 80 pounder rifled guns, fitted in their original emplacements beside the flagstaff.
HISTORY
The signal flagstaff was located on the reserve in 1859, followed by the life boat bell and observation hut for shipping. In 1867, 32 pounder cannons were supplied, for the Belfast (as Port Fairy was known)Volunteer Corps, facing the bay below the flagstaff. The Corps had about 100 men enrolled and parades and gunnery practice were regularly conducted.
Artillery garrisons were established at Victorian ports as the colony had no protection from invasion threat then imagined to arise from Russian ambitions.
Earthwork ramparts were built in 1874 and 68 pounder cannons were delivered from Melbourne. The 80 pounder rifled muzzle loading guns arrived in 1877. The Victorian Government constructed fortifications in two contracts for 1933 pound (AU$3865) in 1887 and 1888, to provide the two emplacements with guns on traversing platforms. Each gun required a crew of 10 to operate it efficiently.
Gunnery efficiency competitions stimulated rivalry with the Portland and Warrnambool garrisons, but there was no practical point to the expenditure and the volunteers were disbanded in favour of naval reserves in 1907
Where is this artillery located?: Other
What military of the world used this device?: Belfast Volunteer Corps (Militia) and later Naval Reserves
Date artillery was in use: 01/01/1867
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
What type of artillery is this?: Not listed
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
Cost?: Not Listed
Still may work: Not Listed
Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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