Here are seven things to know about the fort on Sentosa's western coast.
1. It began with a bang
ST20210215_202186578088/kgsentosa/Jason Quah
Siloso pierseen during a media preview of the Fort Siloso Rediscovery Tour at Sentosa on Feb 15, 2021.
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To commemorate the 79th anniversary of Singapore's fall and remember the efforts of our nation’s war heroes, the National Heritage Board (NHB), together with its Museum Roundtable (MR) members and partners, will be organising a series of programmes as part of its annual Battle for Singapore initiative that explores the different spaces, stories and perspectives of Singapore’s WWII history.
PHOTO: ST
The western end of Pulau Blakang Mati (island behind death) - Sentosa's former name - was chosen as a site for a fort in the late 1800s as it overlooked the western entrance to Singapore's harbour alongside Fort Pasir Panjang. About 8,600kg of gun powder was used to level the top of Mount Siloso - where the fort is now located and after which it was named
In the absence of roads, construction materials for the fort were delivered by boat and dropped off at a jetty. Stairs leading to the jetty survive today.
2. More than just guns
While Fort Siloso today is largely known for its gun displays - it even houses Japanese guns found in Mandai - it was home to other weapon systems.
In Fort Siloso's Tunnel A Complex is a submarine mine defence casement, which was used by British troops to prepare and inspect electrically operated mines that were laid between Fort Siloso and Pasir Panjang.
3. Saw action during World War II
<p>The BL 6-inch Mark VII gun display at Fort Siloso on Sentosa. The fort, constructed in 1878, was part of a set of strategic coastal fortifications set up as Singapore’s importance as a trading port grew in the late 19th century.</p>
PHOTO: ST
Despite being built to defend Singapore from a seaward attack, its guns were turned towards the mainland during World War II to fire at advancing Japanese troops in Singapore's west. The six-inch gun emplacement was used to fire on the advancing Japanese army as well as to destroy the Pulau Bukom refinery to prevent capture by the Japanese.
4. One of several forts on Pulau Blakang Mati
The casemates at Fort Serapong, bombproof vaults made of brick and concrete, were once used to store a variety of ammunition used by the big guns.
PHOTO: ST
Also built to defend Singapore's harbour in the late 1800s were Fort Connaught, Fort Serapong and Imbiah Battery. Imbiah Battery's functions were taken over by Fort Connaught in the 1930s. Part of Sentosa Golf Club's New Tanjong Course covers what was Fort Connaught's site, while portions of Fort Imbiah and Fort Serapong remain.
5. Former monorail station
The Sentosa Monorail was introduced in 1983. It ceased operations in 2005 to make way for a new light rail system after visitors complain that rides on the non-air-conditioned trains were uncomfortable, too slow and noisy.
PHOTO: SENTOSA LEISURE GROUP
Today known as the Surrender Chamber, where visitors can learn about the British surrender in 1942 and the Japanese surrender in 1945, a two-storey structure in Fort Siloso was formerly one of seven monorail stations serving Sentosa. The monorail was in operation from 1982 to 2005.
6. Singapore's 8th World War II-related monument
<p>Participants resting and taking photographs outside the old Changi Prison wall at the end of the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run 2019 on September 15, 2019. </p>
PHOTO: ST
When gazetted, Fort Siloso will be Singapore's eighth World War II-related monument. The seven current monuments are: Changi Prison's Entrance Gate, Wall and Turrets, the Civilian War Memorial, Former Command House, Former Admiralty House, Former Cathay Building, Former Ford Factory and the Esplanade Park Memorials, including the Cenotaph, and Lim Bo Seng Memorial (Tan Kim Seng Fountain is also gazetted but is not war-related).
7. Singapore's first proposed national monument
NHB is announcing gazetting of a new National Monument - Fort Siloso
PHOTO: ST
Amendments to the Preservation of Monuments Act last year granted proposed monuments - a new category of protected buildings and sites - legal protections similar to that of gazetted monuments.
This means that Fort Siloso is now protected from unauthorised works that may affect its character and significance, after its management - Sentosa Development Corporation - was served a written notice on Monday conveying NHB's intention to gazette it a monument.
Owners and occupiers of the proposed monument, as well as the general public, may also give their feedback on NHB's proposal to gazette a monument after the board has announced its intention. The board said on Tuesday that this is part of efforts to be more inclusive and consultative in the process of gazetting monuments.
Feedback on Fort Siloso can be e-mailed to NHB_Feedback@nhb.gov.sg, and substantive objections should be sent by Jan 31.
