One of Newcastle’s most iconic and historical tourist attractions has been recognised for its remarkable feat of engineering.
Fort Scratchley, set on Signal Hill and overlooking the city and coastline out to the Pacific Ocean, is the largest coastal fortress barracks complex in the nation.
And, on Tuesday 14 February, it was awarded an Engineering Heritage Marker.
Engineers Australia and Fort Scratchley representatives gathered at the former defence installation to unveil the accompanying plaque.
The organisation’s Recognition Program acknowledges engineering achievements across the country to raise the profile and understanding of the work of past engineers.
“Fort Scratchley was built on the grounds of the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples,” an Engineers Australia spokesperson said.
“The main elements were constructed in the late 19th century and represent civil construction methods of the era including small-scale unreinforced concrete construction, of which the tunnels are a great example.
“Fort Scratchley’ s layout is innovative as the tunnels always run downhill in the direction of loading ammunition.
“They run into the central magazines or out of them to deep shell lifts.
“Construction evolution over the following 50 years is evident in various examples throughout the fort, most notably the changes as reinforced concrete was introduced.
“Following its initial military use, it was also used by the National Service Scheme for militia training in the mid-1950s.
“Convict coal mines have also been discovered underground by the university’s Coal River Working Party.
“Today, the inner fort holds gun emplacements, a battery observation post and associated fortress structures and underground tunnels, the Commandant’s cottage, the barracks and associated buildings on the lower section.
“The outer area encompasses the Master Gunner’s Cottage, a workshop and a multipurpose centre.
“Full credit to the volunteers from the Fort Scratchley Historical Society, who offer tours of the tunnels and access to the museum and military buildings.”
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