Fort Tas-Silġ

Fort Tas-Silġ
Il-Fortizza tas-Silġ
Marsaxlokk, Malta
Fort Tas-Silġ
Coordinates	35°50′24″N 14°33′25″E
Type	Polygonal fort
Area	60,000 m2 (650,000 sq ft)
Site information
Owner	Government of Malta
Controlled by	The Island Sanctuary
Open to the public	No
Condition	Intact but neglected
Site history
Built	1879–1883
Built by	British Empire
In use	1883–1960
Materials	Limestone and Concrete

Fort Tas-Silġ (formerly written as Fort Ta Silc, Maltese: Il-Fortizza tas-Silġ) is a polygonal fort in Marsaxlokk, Malta. It was built between 1879 and 1883 by the British on high ground at the shoreward end of Delimara Point, above il-Ħofra-ż-Żgħira. Its primary function was as a fire control point controlling the massed guns of Fort Delimara on the headland below.

It was part of a chain of fortifications intended to protect Marsaxlokk Harbour, along with Fort Delimara seaward along Delimara point, the north arm of Marsaxlokk Bay, Fort San Lucian on Kbira point in the middle of the bay, Fort Benghisa on Bengħisa Point, and the Pinto and Ferretti batteries on the shores of the bay.

Approximately 300 metres north of Fort Tas-Silġ is the Saint Paul's Battery, a much smaller polygonal style fortification, that is in much worse condition.

History

The first stone of Fort Tas-Silġ was laid down in 1879 after a suggestion by British military engineers, and it was completed in 1883. The fort is a classic example of a polygonal fort, and it had underground barracks and magazines, and a spacious parade ground. The fort is surrounded by a ditch, and the entrance was protected with gun ports on one side and a bridge leading to the door.

The fort's design and location was criticized by a number of military engineers, and its armament of six RML 64 pounder 64 cwt guns was changed a number of times before being removed in 1903.

In the 1950s, the fort was used by the RAF (100 Signals Unit). During this time the camp mascot was a dog named Dodger. Later, the dog Rusty and bitch Scrubber were pets on the unit. Scrubber gave birth to 14 puppies, all of which found homes elsewhere on Malta. One of the three Aerials on the camp was used in the 1953 war film Malta Story.

The fort was finally decommissioned and handed to civilian authorities in 1960.

Present day

Since 1991, the fort has been rented to the Island Sanctuary as a refuge for dogs. The sanctuary pays the government an annual rent of €232 for use of the fort.

The gatehouse, and the shoreward ditch are in fair repair, but there has been considerable collapse of the inner face of the north ditch.

In 2015, the fort was shortlisted as a possible site for the campus of the proposed American University of Malta. It was not chosen, and the campus is to be split up between Dock No. 1 in Cospicua and Żonqor Point in Marsaskala.

Gallery

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  Scarp and ditch
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  Gatehouse and approach ramp
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  Caponier
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  Scarp collapse
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  Scarp and ditch
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  Ditch counterscarp and caponier
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  Gatehouse ditch
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  Caponier
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  The Island Sanctuary sign
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  View from the fort