South Hook Fort
(SM 870055) Begun in 1859 and completed in 1865, South Hook Fort was part of the proposed second line of defences of the Haven which was to include Stack Rock Fort and Chapel Bay Fort.
South Hook comprised two separate batteries protected by earthworks with guns mounted in embrasures and a magazine in between. The East Battery survives relatively intact; it was originally built for five 68-pounder Smooth Bore Muzzle Loader guns but was rearmed in 1867 with five nine-inch Rifled Muzzle Loader guns. To the rear of the batteries was a large, two-storey barrack block protected to the rear by a counter-scarp gallery entered via a tunnel from the barracks and a dry moat enfiladed by three caponiers.
Like Stack Rock, South Hook was much altered and upgraded around 1890 - 1904, with the fivegun East Battery being abandoned and 'D' plan Maxim machine gun emplacements built in about 1898. Among other installations from this time was an open practice battery armed with four 64-ponder RML guns, the concrete gun floors and brick shelter of which can still be seen to the north-west of the fort.
In 1904 a new Coast Artillery Battery was established at South Hook, the complex including one 10", three 6" and two 12-pounder Quick Firing (QF) gun emplacements, Maxim heavy machine gun emplacements, Defence Electric Light (DEL) searchlight emplacements and a battery observation post.
During the Second World War the fort was the 'Port Control' of HMS Skirmisher, responsible for controlling all shipping movements. A Light Anti-aircraft Battery was stationed at the fort, its armament consisting of the usual 40mm Bofors gun.
After being sold the fort became a country club - known as 'Atlantic Club' - for a time before being swallowed up by the Esso refinery complex. South Hook LNG now occupies the site and the fort is not accessible to the public.
