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Fort Matilda is a suburb at the far western edge of Greenock, Scotland, Its name comes from a coastal battery built on Whiteforeland Point 1814–19 to defend the River Clyde.[1]

Fort Matilda

The Fort Matilda area of Greenock, with the River Clyde behind

In 1862 the Confederate paddle steamer Iona I collided with the Chanticleer and sank off Fort Matilda. There was no loss of life. The site of the wreck is designated as a Historic Marine Protected Area.[2]

Fort Matilda station

Fort Matilda Station

The suburb is served by Fort Matilda railway station which was built for the Caledonian Railway in 1889.[1][3]

In the 1890s the fort was renovated to support a minefield which had been built offshore, and refurbished again in 1902–04.[1] A Royal Naval Torpedo Factory was opened in Fort Matilda in 1910–12 which was designed to be the principal centre of torpedo manufacture and development in Britain.[4] The fort was demolished shortly before to World War II[1] and the factory closed in 1951 when production was moved to Alexandria.[4]

References[]

Coordinates: 55°57′32″N 4°47′43″W / 55.9589°N 4.7953°W / 55.9589; -4.7953

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