Fort Matilda

Fort Matilda is a suburb at the far western edge of Greenock, Scotland, Its name comes from a coastal battery built on Whiteforeland Point 1814–19 to defend the River Clyde.[1]

In 1862 the Confederate paddle steamer Iona I collided with Chanticleer and sank off Fort Matilda. There was no loss of life. The site of the wreck is designated as a Historic Marine Protected Area.[2]

The suburb is served by Fort Matilda railway station which was built for the Caledonian Railway in 1889.[1][3]

In the 1890s the fort was renovated to support a minefield which had been built offshore, and refurbished again in 1902–04.[1] A Royal Naval Torpedo Factory was opened in Fort Matilda in 1910–12 which was designed to be the principal centre of torpedo manufacture and development in Britain.[4] The fort was demolished shortly before to World War II[1] and the factory closed in 1951 when production was moved to Alexandria.[4]

References
  1. "Fort Matilda". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "Iona I (HMPA8)". Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  3. Historic Environment Scotland. "Fort Matilda Railway Station (LB34174)". Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  4. Historic Environment Scotland. "Eldon Street, Former Torpedo Works at Fort Matilda Industrial Estate  (Category B) (LB50579)". Retrieved 12 April 2019.


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