Category: Queensland State Archives’ Photostream About Fortitude Valley

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Fort Lytton’s role in the Second World War was very different from previous times. It was now part of a much larger defence system. Between 1937 and 1943, four more coastal forts were built to defend Moreton Bay. These forts provided the outer defence to prevent enemy vessels from reaching the mouth of the Brisbane River, while Fort Lytton provided the inner defence.

The four outer forts were Fort Bribie and Fort Skirmish on Bribie Island, and Fort Cowan Cowan and Fort Rous on Moreton Island. Each of these forts was equipped with two six-inch guns, giving combined coverage to most of Moreton Bay. Also, the navy operated indicator loops and remote-controlled minefields in the deep water channels of Moreton Bay, giving them the potential to detect and destroy enemy vessels including the submerged submarines.

Description source:
Wikipedia

View the original record at the Queensland State Archives:
Item ID 2692229

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Lytton Fort. The First Shot.

The first shot since the declaration of war was fired from Lytton Fort last evening. Shortly before 10 o’clock a small motor boat was observed gliding across the water in contravention of the regulations providing that no boats shall cruise in the Bay at night. The fort authorities were taking no risks, and immediately one of the guns spoke, and a shot tore across the water in front of the little craft. The occupants of the boat promptly put in to Lytton, and it was ascertained that they were fishermen.

Description source:
The Brisbane Courier, 19 August 1914

View the original record at the Queensland State Archives:
Item ID 2692229

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

While Fort Lytton was originally defended by four muzzle-loading heavy guns (two 80pdrs and two 64pdrs), by 1888 the 80 pdr guns were replaced with two 6inch 100pdr breech-loading disappearing guns. Five years after that, the defences were increased with the addition of two quick-firing Hotchkiss 6pdr guns. These disappearing guns continued in operation until 1938. During the Second World War Fort Lytton’s defences also included a 4.7inch naval gun and a twin 6 pounder rapid-fire gun which was remotely controlled from a 15m high lookout tower.

Description source:
Wikipedia

View the original record at the Queensland State Archives:
Item ID 2692229

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Fort Lytton.

The public are warned that gun practice will take place at Fort Lytton tomorrow. They had better take that warning, for no man knows what will be the danger of practising at that fort. The fort was specially pointed out to our Canadian visitors; and they were specially warned not to disclose its existence; and also they were informed that they must not take photographs of it. This hint nearly incited a youth having a Kodak to take a snap shot; but he held off on being told by the Chief Secretary that it would be his duty to give an offender in charge immediately on his landing. Mr. M’Kenzie Bowell looked at that fort long and admiringly. Mr. Fleming did not appear to be so deeply impressed. The uppermost thought in Mr. Bowell’s mind appeared to bear upon the possible use of the

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

One of Fort Lytton’s roles was “Inner Inspection Station”. This meant that it could send out inspection parties to board and inspect ships to ensure it was safe to allow them to proceed up the river. A ship (HMAS Kinchela) was permanently anchored near the middle of the river off Fort Lytton.

Two permanent heavy steel boom nets blocked the river permanently on the far side of Kinchela. Two moveable steel boom net gates blocked the river between Kinchela and the fort and were opened and closed by large winches mounted at Fort Lytton and on Kinchela.

Searchlights illuminated the net when required. Warning of vessels approaching the boom was provided by an indicator loop and photo-electric beam systems across the river mouth downstream of the fort. Guns at the fort were used to protect the boom gate.

Description source:
Wikipedia

View the original record at the Queensland

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Lytton Hill was the only significant hill in the one square mile Fort Lytton complex, giving it enormous defensive significance. It is located about three-quarters of a mile (1200m) east of the colonial fort. In the mid-1880s a redoubt (mini-fort) was constructed on the hill to serve as a lookout and as a base for the infantry and field artillery units that were needed to protect Fort Lytton from an attack by land. The redoubt was connected to Fort Lytton by telegraph, no doubt backed up by more traditional signalling means such as semaphore.

Lytton Hill was able to observe and report ship movements in Moreton Bay, and land movements of attacking forces. In the Second World War, Lytton Hill accommodated an army signals station and a Royal Australian Airforce radar station. At various times Lytton Hill was also used for civilian applications such as for

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

No Easter Salvoes From Fort Lytton.

The big naval guns at Fort Lutton will not fire the customary salvoes across the Bay on Easter Monday. Instead, there will be an artillery camp on May 20, probably on Moreton Island, when the trainees will have the privilege of firing the new big guns for the first time. Fort Lytton has not been abandoned, but this year the training for the heavy artillery units will not take place from there at Easter as usual but will be held later in the year. The new guns at Moreton Island have been mounted, and have been given the preliminary tests, but the actual firing will not take place until later in the year. The Moreton Island guns are larger than those at Lytton, which can throw a shell weighing 100lb. at least 10 miles.

Description source:
Queensland Times, 13 April 1938

View the

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Throughout its life, Fort Lytton was a major training base. Thousands of soldiers trained at Fort Lytton for the Boer War, World War I and World War II. For its first forty years the fort was also the main training base for Queensland’s reserve soldiers. Each year up to 5000 reservists attended training at Fort Lytton’s “Easter Encampment”.

Even after its career as a military outpost, Fort Lytton continued to play a key part in Australian defence. Over 17,000 Australians served in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. Fort Lytton’s signal station provided essential communications between Australia and its forces in Korea. The signal station was significantly upgraded at this stage, including upgrades to radio equipment, masts and aerials (antennas).

Description source:
Wikipedia

View the original record at the Queensland State Archives:
Item ID 2692229

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

The Second Boer War was fought in Southern Africa between 1899 and 1902. In total over 3000 Queensland officers and men were sent to help the British forces to fight the war, most being mounted troops from the Queensland Mounted Infantry, the Queensland Imperial Bushmen and the Australian Commonwealth Horse. Nine contingents sailed from Brisbane between November 1899 and May 1902. Most (and probably all) contingents mustered and trained at Fort Lytton prior to embarkation.

Description source:
Wikipedia

View the original record at the Queensland State Archives:
Item ID 2692229

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Now a restaurant, the heritage-listed courthouse was built as an early colonial cottage in 1853 by Francis Edward Bigge, a wealthy land and property owner. Its handmade brick walls and sandstone windowsills were brought out from England. In 1859, Francis Bigge rented the cottage to the colonial secretary, as a courthouse and police lock-up. Sunday School and church services were also held here from 1859; the Courthouse was Cleveland’s first place of worship.

Description source:
The Courthouse Restaruant 1853

View the original image at the Queensland State Archives:
Digital Image ID 20819

See Full Post >>