Fort Scratchley

Fort Scratchley was built 1882 to defend the town of Newcastle from possible Russian attack. although by the time the fort was completed the threat had disappeared. The Fort was designed by Lt Col Peter Scratchley and the armament was regularly upgraded throughout it's service life. By the outbreak of WW2 it was equipped with 2 x Vickers BL 6 inch Mk VII naval guns, a battery observation post and searchlight directing station.
In the early hours of 8 June 1942, the Japanese submarine I-21 carried out a bombardment of Newcastle firing a total of 34 rounds. The 2 6 inch guns at Fort Scratchley returned fire (4 shells) but neither side did any significant damage.

The Australian Army finally left Fort Scratchley in 1972 and it has since been turned into an interesting museum and the main armament has been returned to serviceable condition and is fired on regular occasions.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward