Fort Connaught
Fort Connaught began life as Blakang Mati East Battery in 1878. It was armed in similar manner to Fort Siloso with three 7-Inch RML Guns and two 64 Pounder RML Guns. By 1886, the two 64 Pounders had been removed and were later replaced by two Mark IV 9.2-Inch Guns on Barbette style carriages. The 7-Inch guns remained for a few more years. Following a visit to Singapore by the Duke of Connaught in 1890, the Battery was renamed Fort Connaught in his honour. Two 6 Inch QF Guns were added to the Fort’s armament and remained there until after the Owen Committee’s report of 1907 when they were transferred to Fort Silingsing on nearby Pulau Brani. In 1910, a Mark X 9.2-Inch Gun was added to the Fort’s armament. This was mounted on the central knoll of the Fort. The two Mark IVs remained in service for another two years. During the 1930s, the Fort was completely rebuilt and armed with three Mark X 9.2-Inch Guns on Mark VII high-angle mounts.
Fort Connaught is reported to have fired all its ammunition at the advancing Japanese during February 1942. The guns were spiked before the British surrender and the Fort passed into history. Post war aerial photos show the three guns still facing the Japanese line of advance. With the development of Sentosa for leisure purposes, much of the Fort has vanished. The No.3 Gun Emplacement with its Magazine and Fire Control Tower have survived as has the Battery Command Post which is at the top of Mount Serapong. The No. 1 Gun Magazine also still exists as may the No.2 Gun Magazine. the No.1 and No.2 Gun Emplacements have been filled in and there is a rest area for golfers on the No.1 Emplacement. The hill that Fort Connaught was on has been removed for land reclamation to the east, forming Sentosa Cove, leaving the No.1 and No.2 Emplacements to rise up of the new land level like small hills.
Fort Connaught on Google Earth. The No. 2 Emplacement is in the centre of the marker. The No. 1 Emplacement is the the circular mound south-east of the marker. The No. 3 Emplacement is to the north-west of the marker, close to the road.
A 1950 aerial photograph of Fort Connaught.
Photographs of Fort Connaught.
LEFT & RIGHT: The heavily overgrown No.3 Gun Emplacement.
LEFT:The Fire Control Tower near the the No. 3 Gun Emplacement.
RIGHT: The Battery Command Post on top of Mount Serapong. This was built on the site of the original 8 Inch Gun Emplacements and later 9.2 Inch Emplacements on the Mount.