Fort Tanjong Katong

Last updated

The excavated site of the south-eastern bastion of Fort Tanjong Katong at Katong Park, circa August 2006. The structure, part of the fort built by the British in 1879, was likely positioned to help soldiers get a good shot at lurking enemies Remains of Fort Tanjong Katong, Katong Park, Singapore - 20060826.jpg
The excavated site of the south-eastern bastion of Fort Tanjong Katong at Katong Park, circa August 2006. The structure, part of the fort built by the British in 1879, was likely positioned to help soldiers get a good shot at lurking enemies

Fort Tanjong Katong, which stood from 1879 to 1901, was one of the oldest military forts built by the former British colonial government of Singapore. The fort gave its name to today's Fort Road, [1] and it used to stand on the grounds of the present Katong Park. Fort Tanjong Katong, the only one of its kind on the eastern side of the island, [2] was part of a series of defensive batteries and fortifications along the southern coast of Singapore, that defended the eastern approaches to the Singapore Harbour and Singapore Town against seaborne attacks. Due to its poor structural design and remoteness, the fort was subsequently abandoned and buried until its rediscovery in 2001. Found with traces of a moat and near intact perimeter wall, the fort was considered by local archaeological experts as one of Singapore's most important archaeological finds of a "true 19-century fort" to date. [3] As a result, an archaeology group has been lobbying for the site to be gazetted as a National Monument. As of May 2010, the National Heritage Board has stated that it has no plans to gazette the fort for the time being. [4]

Contents

History

An 1880 photograph of Fort Tanjong Katong John Edmund Taylor, A Fort at Tanjong Katong, Singapore (1880, Wellcome V0037520).jpg
An 1880 photograph of Fort Tanjong Katong
The SVA Gunners conducting a firing practice next to Fort Tanjong Katong around 1905 SVA Gunners 1905.jpg
The SVA Gunners conducting a firing practice next to Fort Tanjong Katong around 1905

Fort Tanjong Katong was designed and built in 1879 by Henry Edward McCallum, who was the Colonial Engineer and Architect of the Singapore History Museum on Stamford Road. The fort reflected the British concerns that other European powers such as the Netherlands and Russia, [2] might attack the strategically located colony founded by Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company in 1819. On the island of Sentosa, Fort Siloso, Fort Connaught, Fort Serapong and Imbiah Battery were built around the same time as Fort Tanjong Katong, to guard the western and eastern entrances to the New Harbour (now Keppel Harbour). [5]

The fort was sitting atop a wet, low-lying coconut plantation and occupied an area of approximately two hectares, and had a small elevated battery of three 7 in (180 mm) rifled muzzle-loading guns facing the sea, along with bombproof shelters. The battery was surrounded by a ditch measuring 100 feet wide on the flanks. A local team of contractors constructed the fort in less than 12 months. [2] The fort's garrison included members of the Singapore Volunteer Artillery (SVA) that held regular gun drills and their annual training camps at the fort. In 1885, works began on upgrading the existing gun batteries in Singapore, and the three-gun battery at Tanjong Katong was replaced with a pair of more powerful and longer range Mark VII 8 in (200 mm) breech-loading guns. [6]

"Wash-out Fort"

Beset by problems from the start, the Fort Tanjong Katong was nicknamed the "Wash-out Fort". [7] Due to the soft ground, each time the guns were fired, the range finding equipment would shake, and would need to be recalibrated. To make matters worse, it was difficult to find the ammunition for the new 8 in (200 mm) guns as it was not common in Singapore. The remoteness of the site, which hindered supply and reinforcement, reduced the effectiveness of Fort Tanjong Katong as a defensive position. [7]

Barely five years after upgrades were completed in 1888, it was suggested the fort be demolished. Debates over the fort lingered on between the Colonial Defence Committee in London, and the Local Defence Committee in Singapore for nearly a decade. [8] The fort was finally rendered obsolete and abandoned in 1901 when the guns were removed. Instead of destroying the fort, the British thought it simpler to bury it, which was done sometime after World War I. [3] A portion of a bastion was still visible above ground well into the 1960s, when a public park was built atop the fort for the fast-growing Katong suburbs. In the late 1960s, the bastion was finally buried when land reclamation in the East Coast took place, and its memory was soon forgotten in the ensuing decades.

Rediscovery

In 2001, the outline of the top of the bastion wall became visible during a dry spell; this prompted a Katong resident, Jack Sim, to seek out the relevant authorities to investigate its origins. [3] Despite much public discussion and interest generated by the discovery, it was not until in 2004 that the Singapore government finally approached a team of archaeologists to excavate the forgotten fort. The excavation was made possible by a community-based project named "Raising History, Planting Roots", that was initiated by the Mountbatten Citizens' Consultative Committee with local residents and schools as a community involvement program to encourage ownership of local heritage. [9] In just four weeks, an amount of S$200,000 (US$120,000) was raised from corporate sponsors and a fund-raising dinner, held at Suntec City Mall on 27 September 2004. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, was the guest of honour at the event. [10]

The long-awaited excavation began on 29 September 2004, led by a handful of archaeologists and dedicated archaeology volunteers called Southeast Asian Archaeology. Nearly 2 metres down, the volunteers uncovered significant remains of the fort still in situ—a pair of infantry bastions that did not appear in the original plans, the perimeter of the moat's inner escarpment and what appears to be the drawbridge superstructure. Experts call it Singapore's only 'true fort'—one with protection all around—and it was considered one of Singapore's most important archaeological finds. [3]

The archaeological dig at the former Fort Tanjong Katong site, provided a unique opportunity for many like-minded Singaporeans to participate actively in uncovering the remains of the old fort. For nearly 10 months, more than 1,000 volunteers ranging from school students to housewives, retirees, working professionals on their off-days assisted the archaeologists on site and discovering first hand on the 125-year-old military fort. [10]

The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, a natural history research unit of the National University of Singapore, assisted with the analysis of marine artefacts and corals that were uncovered at the site, and some 36 bags of samples have been deposited with the museum for further analysis. [11] A Preliminary Site Report (dated 7 May 2006) was later compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities which outlined the research process, preliminary findings, variety of volunteers, and a list of the archaeology research team involved. [12]

Reburied again

To date, the excavation project at Fort Tanjong Katong has ended and only the south-eastern bastion, which was nearly fully excavated, has been cordoned off indefinitely (the south-western bastion was left untouched). Except for the cordoned off bastion, other exposed fort remains were reburied again in December 2005 by the National Parks Board, which runs the park, to protect them against the elements for future archaeologists to discover. It was also done because the dug-out pits could well breed mosquitoes; there were also fears that someone might fall into one of the 2 m-deep holes. [3] The remaining funds, about S$150,000, were ploughed back into bursaries and scholarships for the constituency's students.

The archaeology group is lobbying for the site to be gazetted as a National Monument, and to incorporate the fort remains to be featured as part of the park in future. To date, its status is still pending while waiting for the final decision by the Preservation of Monuments Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentosa</span> Island of Singapore

Sentosa Island, known mononymously as Sentosa, is an island located off the southern coast of Singapore's main island. The island is separated from the main island of Singapore by a channel of water, the Keppel Harbour, and is adjacent to Pulau Brani, a smaller island wedged between Sentosa and the main island.

The year 2004 in archaeology included many events, some of which are listed below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katong</span> Neighbourhood in Central Region, Singapore

Katong is a residential neighbourhood in the eastern portion of the Central Region of Singapore, within the Marine Parade planning area. The Katong district stretches from Fort Road area to the Joo Chiat area. It used to be located by the sea, before land reclamation towards the south to East Coast Park was created for housing and recreational purposes beginning in the 1960s to 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Parade</span> Planning Area and HDB Estate in Central Region ----, Singapore

Marine Parade is a planning area and residential estate located on the eastern fringe of the Central Region of Singapore. Straddling the tip of the southeastern coast of Pulau Ujong, Marine Parade serves as a buffer between the Central and East regions of the country. Bordering it are the planning areas of Geylang to the north, Kallang to the northwest, Bedok to the northeast, Marina East to the southwest and the Singapore Straits to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Siloso</span> Old coastal artillery site in Singapore

Fort Siloso is a decommissioned coastal artillery battery in Sentosa, Singapore. It consists of 12 such batteries which made up "Fortress Singapore" at the start of World War II, and saw action during the Battle of Singapore. The fort is now a military museum open to the public. The Surrender Chambers in Fort Siloso reopened in June 2017 with a refreshed exhibition and free admission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National monuments of Singapore</span>

National monuments of Singapore are sites, buildings and structures in Singapore that have been designated by the National Heritage Board (NHB) as being of special historic, traditional, archaeological, architectural or artistic value. For historical significance, these buildings are not allowed to be demolished. The Preservation of Monuments Act gives the board authority to order the preservation of such sites and promote research and public interest in the monuments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Canning Hill</span> Park in Singapore

Fort Canning Hill, formerly Government Hill, Singapore Hill and Bukit Larangan, or simply known as Fort Canning, is a prominent hill, about 48 metres (157 ft) high, in the southeast portion of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore's central business district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archaeology of Singapore</span>

Archaeology in Singapore is a niche but growing discipline. Although there is generally a lack of government support for archeological work, many artifacts have been unearthed at sites around the island, helping to give a clearer picture of Singapore's history, both concerning the early history of Singapore and its subsequent colonial settlement following the founding of modern Singapore, the former being particularly useful in revealing archaeological evidence reflecting references to settlements such as Temasek, Ban Zu, Long Ya Men and the Kingdom of Singapura in chronicles and records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanjong Rhu</span> Subzone of Kallang Planning Area in Central Region

Tanjong Rhu, is a subzone within the planning area of Kallang, Singapore, as defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). The perimeter of Tanjong Rhu is made up of Nicoll Highway in the north; Mountbatten Road and Fort Road in the east; East Coast Parkway (ECP) in the south; as well as Marina Channel and Kallang Basin in the west. Tanjong Rhu is the largest in terms of physical area among the nine subzones that make up Kallang.

The Canadian International School (CIS) is an international school in Singapore with a campus at Lakeside in the west of Singapore. CIS operates under International Baccalaureate Primary, Middle Years, and Diploma programs. The school accepts students from Nursery to Grade 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labrador Nature Reserve</span>

Labrador Nature Reserve, also known locally as Labrador Park, is located in the southern part of mainland Singapore. It is home to the only rocky sea-cliff on the mainland that is accessible to the public. Since 2002, 10 hectares of coastal secondary-type vegetation and its rocky shore have been gazetted as a nature reserve and its flora and fauna preserved by NParks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Pasir Panjang</span> Colonial Singapore defensive structure

Fort Pasir Panjang or Labrador Battery is located within Labrador Park at the southern tip of Singapore island. It was one of the 11 coastal artillery forts built by the British in the 19th century to defend the western passageway into Keppel Harbour against piracy and foreign naval powers. During the 1942 Battle of Pasir Panjang, the fort played a supporting role but a limited one in defending the Malay Regiments against the Japanese invasion at Bukit Chandu. In 1995, the site was gazetted by the National Heritage Board as one of the 11 World War II sites in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanjong Katong Primary School</span> Government school

Tanjong Katong Primary School is a government primary school, located on Seraya Road in Tanjong Katong, under Marine Parade Planning Area in the East Region of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johore Battery</span>

The Johore Battery was a former British coastal artillery battery located in Changi on the easternmost side of mainland Singapore. It consisted of three large BL 15-inch Mk. I naval guns installed on land by the British government in the late 1930s to defend the approaching path to the east of the island to their large naval base located at Sembawang in the north from an attacking enemy naval force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanjong Rhu MRT station</span> Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore

Tanjong Rhu MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Thomson–East Coast line (TEL) in Kallang, Singapore. Situated at the junction of Tanjong Rhu Road and Tanjong Rhu Place, the station serves nearby condominiums such as Pebble Bay and Casuarina Cove. Other surrounding landmarks include the Tanjong Rhu Lookout Tower, Singapore Sports Hub and the Tanjong Rhu Footbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katong Park MRT station</span> Mass Rapid Transit station in Singapore

Katong Park MRT station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station on the Thomson–East Coast line (TEL). Situated along Meyer Road and adjacent to Katong Park, the station serves Dunman High School and Singapore Swimming School alongside nearby residential developments. The station is operated by SMRT Trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katong Park</span> Park in Katong, Singapore

Katong Park is neighborhood park located in Katong, Singapore at the junction of Meyer Road and Fort Road. Built in the 1930s above the buried remains of Fort Tanjong Katong, it was one of Singapore’s oldest parks with the first public bathing pagar and was highly popular with families during the weekends. After the coastal reclamation works in the 1970s, the park lost its sea frontage and declined greatly in popularity. It now remains as a small community park serving nearby residents.

The first fortifications of Singapore consisted of batteries built in the early 19th century to protect the harbour and city. After this there were two main phases of building.

John Norman Miksic is an American-born archaeologist.

Fort Serapong is a former coastal artillery battery on Mount Serapong hill on Sentosa Island in Singapore, then known as Pulau Blakang Mati. It was one of four major batteries on the island, along with Fort Siloso, Fort Connaught and the Mount Imbiah Battery.

References

  1. Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2004). Toponymics—A Study of Singapore Street Names (2nd Ed). Singapore: Eastern Universities Press. ISBN   981-210-364-3.
  2. 1 2 3 "History of Fort Tanjong Katong". The Straits Times . 9 April 2006. p. News section.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Au, Jeremy (9 April 2006). "Buried, dug up—and buried again". The Straits Times . p. News section.
  4. AsiaOne. "Fort Tanjong Katong will not be gazetted". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  5. "Other historical forts in Singapore". The Straits Times . 9 April 2006. p. News section.
  6. "List of other coastal batteries of Singapore". Fort Siloso. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2007.
  7. 1 2 "Fort Tanjong Katong (1879—1901)"—Information obtained from on-site information board erected by National Parks Board.
  8. 1 2 "Archaeology in Singapore—Fort Tanjong Katong". South East Asian Archaeology. Archived from the original on 13 August 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  9. "Exhibition of Design Ideas for an Interpretative Centre at Katong Park" (PDF). National University of Singapore. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2007.
  10. 1 2 "$200,000 raised for excavation at Katong Park". The Straits Times . 28 November 2004. p. News section.
  11. "19th century coral artefacts found at Fort Tanjong Katong dig". Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2007.
  12. Lim, Chen Sian. "Preliminary Site Report v1.2—Fort Tanjong Katong" (PDF). South East Asian Archaeology. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2007.

01°17′48″N103°53′12″E / 1.29667°N 103.88667°E / 1.29667; 103.88667