Fort Victoria

Mt Victoria dominates the Devonport area with a complete view of the entire inner and outer harbour. In 1877 a battery of four 64 pounder RML guns (converted guns) on wooden garrison carriages were placed on wooden platforms on a terrace on the north side of the mountain. It seems only to have been used in a saluting battery role, and had no fortifications associated with it.

In 1885 a a battery of four 64-pounder RML converted guns was placed on the north side of the hill and a partial musketry parapet was thrown up around the summit. Plans were made in 1891 for further fortifications, but these were never constructed.

In 1891 a Fire Commanders Post (FCP) was built at the eastern end of the summit. It was linked to Fort Takapuna, Fort Cautley at North Head and later Fort Victoria, from 1896 this link was by telephone. The FCP remained in use sporadically until 1924, when it was abandoned by the army.

In 1899 an 8-inch disappearing gun was emplaced, one of the last to be built in New Zealand. It was unique in design, with the magazine on a lower level, connected to the gun pit with a shell hoist and the gun pit was given straight sides without the lip all the others have. The arc of fire for the gun was 270 degrees, covering the whole inner and outer harbour. The gun was seldom used and wasn't manned during World War One. The army abandoned the emplacement in 1925, but it was briefly used by the navy for ammunition storage. In 1936 the gunpit was filled in.

In 1939 a 3.7 inch anti-aircraft battery was placed on the summit, and the men were apparently forced to dig out the 8 inch battery to use as temporary accommodation until barracks were built for them. It was filled in again after World War Two.

In 1975 the gun was dug out again for display and is now still publicly accessible.