Fort Victoria, Kow-loon HongKong / Kowloon HongKong China / Drawn by T. Allom Engraved by / HongKong China
Fort Victoria, also known as Kowloon West Battery, was said to be constructed under the supervision of Lin Zexu. The fort was located on the western slope of a small hill on the west side of Tsim Sha Tsui Beach, with its eastern end at the hill’s summit and the western end extending directly into the sea. It had a significant footprint, and a low, curvilinear stone wall surrounded it. The seaward side of the wall had multiple gunports, and two gatehouses with guardhouses were built on the eastern and northern sides. Two years after its construction, China suffered defeat in the First Opium War. In 1842, British troops occupied the fort and named it “Fort Victoria.” For over a decade, the area around the fort was bustling with trade between residents of the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. It wasn’t until 1854 that the British decided to withdraw their troops and demolished the fort before leaving. It’s said that some of the stone materials from the fort were transported back to Hong Kong Island for use in constructing new buildings in Central at the time. / From a sketch on the spot by Lieut White Royal Marines. / Property owner: artport, digitalization: artport.
Size: 4656px × 3040px
Location: Kowloon HongKong China
Photo credit: © ARTPORT/ATTENLAKE/PIXBANK / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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