Early British interventions on the Grand Harbour Baroque hospitaller fortifications

Abstract

When the British took over the control of the Islands from the French on September 5, 1800, they instantly inherited all the Hospitaller fortifications of the Baroque age with the exception of a handful of coastal works that had either fallen into disrepair or had been abandoned. Although in many places neglected and structurally dilapidated, the majority of these defensive works were still very valid and capable works of fortification, and in certain instances, as in the case of Fort Tigné, even ahead of their time. Taking stock of the situation, therefore, was the first natural British reaction and the early years of British rule, as such, witnessed the commissioning of a series of reports addressing the state of local defences. Measures were thus taken to survey the defence assets, collect surviving drawings of the fortifications and identify their needs with the scope of carrying out immediate repair.