Dad was medical officer at "the fort" South Head for the latter part of the war. Sir Peter Scratchely designed 'forts' up and down the coast, to specs of William Jervois. I dont know if he designed the Newcastle fort, but he certainly was the designer of Bare Island fort at the entrance of Botany bay. "Bare Island is nationally significant as an almost completely intact example of late nineteenth century coastal defence technology. It was designed by Sir Peter Scratchley to a specification by William Jervois and represents one of the more substantial and impressive of the many fortifications they built around Australasia. " Unlike the South Head heavy battery, which was serviced by extensive tunneling in the sandstone cliffs, as protection for magazines in case of return fire from heavy naval guns of an invasion force, Bare Island relied entirely on earthworks. There are many similar emplacements all round Sydney harbour, some pre-dating the withdrawl of garrisons from Blighty. Both North Head & Middle Head had similar installations, which may indeed be Scratchely forts. There is a scandal attached to Bare Island, which was taken back during the war, but sported mainly searchlights and light artillery. Because of its coal the Hunter port was important from colonies earliest days, and the steelworks certainly merited protection during the war. The guns of Newcastle were fired at the Nip sub, after the attack on Sydney harbour. I frankly dont understand in the light of military history why you insist that the Scratchely name should apply exclusively to the Newcastle fort, and not to other forts designed by him. William Moppett

William Although you are right about Scratchley's role in the construction of a range of "forts" in NSW, this is beside the point. When your father was discharged he was obviously on the strength of HQ of Scratchely Battery, Coastal Artillery which as pthers have pointed out was at Newcastle. By that time any resemblance between the "forts" constructed by Scratchley in the previous century and the manned coastal defences was coincidental. Why he was on the strength of Scratchely Bty while being located at Sydney is a mystery but it is not unusual. You can either accept the facts or continue to ignore the obvious. Cheers Graham ----- Original Message ----- From: "William MOPPETT" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 7:08 PM Subject: Scratchely forts > Dad was medical officer at "the fort" South Head for the latter part of > the war. > > Sir Peter Scratchely designed 'forts' up and down the coast, to specs > of William Jervois. > I dont know if he designed the Newcastle fort, but he certainly was the > designer of Bare Island fort at the entrance of Botany bay. > > "Bare Island is nationally significant as an almost completely intact > example of late nineteenth century coastal defence technology. It was > designed by Sir Peter Scratchley to a specification by William Jervois > and represents one of the more substantial and impressive of the many > fortifications they built around Australasia. " > > Unlike the South Head heavy battery, which was serviced by extensive > tunneling in the sandstone cliffs, as protection for magazines in case > of return fire from heavy naval guns of an invasion force, Bare Island > relied entirely on earthworks. > There are many similar emplacements all round Sydney harbour, some > pre-dating the withdrawl of garrisons from Blighty. > Both North Head & Middle Head had similar installations, which may > indeed be Scratchely forts. > There is a scandal attached to Bare Island, which was taken back during > the war, but sported mainly searchlights and light artillery. > Because of its coal the Hunter port was important from colonies > earliest days, and the steelworks certainly merited protection during > the war. > The guns of Newcastle were fired at the Nip sub, after the attack on > Sydney harbour. > > I frankly dont understand in the light of military history why you > insist that the Scratchely name should apply exclusively to the > Newcastle fort, and not to other forts designed by him. > > William Moppett > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > Anzac Research > http://anzacresearch.tripod.com/index.htm >