 | |
  South Channel Fort | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Victoria |
| Highest elevation | 6.4 m (21 ft) |
| Administration | |
South Channel Fort, also known asSouth Channel Island, is a 0.7 haartificial island in southernPort Phillip,Victoria, Australia, 6 km north-east of the town ofSorrento. It was part of a network of fortifications protecting the narrow entrance toPort Phillip.
It is 122 m long, 76 m wide, and is 6.4 m above sea-level, and was built on a shoal, close to the main shipping channel of the bay, with 14,000 tonnes ofbluestone boulders, concrete and sand. It was constructed during the 1880s as part of a defensive strategy to protect and control access by sea to Port Phillip and the cities ofMelbourne andGeelong. Its principal purpose was to illuminate the main shipping channel at night, and to explodemines under attacking ships which had breached the defences atPort Phillip Heads. The fort still contains remnants of its original military equipment, includingdisappearing guns.[1][2]
South Channel Fort was built with a protective ring of bluestone rocks which also provided a foundation. Concrete cylinderswere then sunk through to the sandstone base rock below. Resting on these is a thick table of concrete and brick with atop the concrete structure of the fort. Sand was then placed on top of the gun emplacements to absorb impact from any projectiles.[3]
Between 1890 and 1916 over 100 officers and men lived on the island, serving as mechanics, artillery-men and maintenance. Gradually, the increased range, rapidity of fire and efficiency of coastal defence guns allowed the entrance to Port Phillip to be protected by guns atFort Nepean andQueenscliff. This led to South Channel Fort becoming redundant and it was deserted by the military.[3]
There are a number of gun emplacements whose function was for artillery defence of the shipping channel, artillery protection and defence against enemy landings.[3]
The layout of the underground keep is a labyrinth of passages, small lobbies, magazines and a kitchen, carefully designed to ensure the safe and efficient handling of ammunition and gunpowder underground. It was constructed with red-gum timber and mass concrete. Beneath the keep is the test room from which the minefield in the South Channel was controlled and tested. The mines were placed so that they would explode below attacking ships.[3]
The post was built to protect the fort commander from gunfire. Constructed in 1905, it contains a plinth for a range finder, and fire control positions. It also has the best strategic view of the island and Port Phillip.[3]
The waters of Port Phillip surround the island. The rocks that make up the fort provide a habitat for a range of marine organisms, includingkelp forests andinvertebrates that attach to the rocks. Colourfulsponges andsoft corals grow amongst the rocks and jetty structures. The small torpedo bay supports areas ofseagrass, and many fish can be seen there as well as under the pier.[3]
South Channel Fort was listed on the now-defunctRegister of the National Estate, both for its historic significance and its conservation importance as a breeding site for thewhite-faced storm-petrel. The site is within the boundaries of theSwan Bay and Port Phillip Bay Islands Important Bird Area, identified as such byBirdLife International.[4] Other species visiting the island includelittle penguins,black-faced cormorants andAustralian fur seals. Since 1995, it has been managed as part of theMornington Peninsula National Park. Public access is permitted during daylight hours and it is a populardiving site.
On March 10th, 2021, Melbourne based band Mildlife travelled by boat to South Channel Island to perform a live music concert.
38°18′24″S144°48′5″E / 38.30667°S 144.80139°E /-38.30667; 144.80139
| NearEast Gippsland | |
|---|---|
| NearCorner Inlet | |
| NearWilsons Promontory | |
| InWestern Port | |
| InPort Phillip | |
| NearPortland Bay | |
| In rivers | |
