[Singapore Parks] Fort Tanjong Katong

When we mention the word "Fort", we may think about the highly fortified walls of the European battlers. But do you know there are forts in Singapore too? Well, for those who are wondering why we have the road called Fort Road, it was given because there was indeed a fort that was built around that vicinity in 1879!

For Singapore Trails, I visited Fort Tanjong Katong. Located at Katong Park, the fort sits quietly just at the corner of the park. Only part of the fort has been excavated so that the park can continue its purpose of bringing joy to the the community with its running tracks and playground.

Land reclamation in the 1960s has also taken away the sea view that the fort was built to protect. What lies in front is now the East Coast Park Expressway.

How to get there?

The fort is located at Katong Park along Meyer Road. There are parking lots at the edge of the park.


History of Fort Tanjong Katong

Called Fort Tanjong Katong, the Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir William Jervois was the first to propose the building of this fort. Together with other defence installations such as Fort Canning, Fort Fullerton, Mount Palmer and Mount Faber Batteries, the purpose of this fort was to prevent enemy cruiser ships from attacking the New Harbour (Now Keppel Harbour), "its wharves, docks and coal stores" (1) It was also built to starve off aggressive forces from Russia. (6)

Sir H. E. McCallum was then tasked to design and build this fort in 1878. (2)

The fort must have been pretty inaccessible as it was only in 1900 that a road was constructed from Tanjong Rhu to join the road at the rear of Fort Tanjong Katong. (3) It seems like the easier way to get to the fort was by a steam launch from Johnston's Pier. (4)

The fort was manned by the Singapore Volunteer Artillery and they had regular firing drills of the 8 inch B.L. Gun (Armstrong Guns) in 1895 with British officers and civilians visiting the place regularly. (5)

The fort was abandoned and later buried. It was uncovered by a resident in 2001 and was partly excavated in 2004. (7) 




References

1. Straits Times Overland Journal. May 19, 1878. An Indian garrison for the Straits. P3. 

2. The Straits Times, August 29, 1956. Replace this torn sketch. P6.

3. The Straits Times, September 3, 1900. Untitled. P2.

4. The Straits Times, August 22, 1896. P2.

5. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942). July 15, 1895. The S.V.A. gun practice. P2.

6. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942). February 2, 1899. Suspicious proceedings of foreigners at Fort Tanjong Katong. P3.

7. Tay, T. W. Today. October 25, 2004. Work begins to unearth fort. P8.