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THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF COASTAL DEFENCE: 600 YEARS OF HONG KONG HISTORY

SAR Staff by SAR Staff
August 2, 2022
in Articles, Articles by Issue, Museums & Factory Tours, Search by Issue, V12N3 (Dec 2008), Volume 12
THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF COASTAL DEFENCE: 600 YEARS OF HONG KONG HISTORY
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By Jason Wong

The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, located in the Shau Kei Wan district of Hong Kong, depicts more than 600 years of Hong Kong military history. Originally designed as the Lei Yue Mun Fort, the museum depicts the history of the Opium Wars, the life of British conscripts, World War II, and the hand-over of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China within the 34,200 square meter fort.

With its strategic harbor, the tactical value of Hong Kong was recognized by the Chinese emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1394, two battalions were established in Hong Kong to protect the burgeoning local trade. As a major port of trade, Chinese warships based from Hong Kong island patrolled the South China Sea to protect trade and commerce from pirates, foreign invasion, and Western influence. Examples of Chinese warships used during the period were on display at the museum, complete with salvaged examples of Chinese manufactured cannons. With a bore of 8.3 centimeters, (3.27 inches) the cannons were capable of firing a projectile weighing 1.4 kilograms (approximately 3 pounds). Later cannons were purchased from Portugal and Holland through European missionaries in the area. By the late Ming Dynasty, the coast surrounding Hong Kong was well defended. Hong Kong played a major role in the Opium Wars (1839 – 1842) between the British East India Company and the Qing Dynasty. Although opium was outlawed in Britain, opium was manufactured under British monopoly in India. The British East India Company forcibly sold opium to the Chinese populace, leading to the Opium Wars of 1839 and 1842, when Qing dynasty emperors outlawed and confiscated opium being sold illegally. On display within the museum are captured strong boxes used to transport opium, Qing Dynasty cotton and bronze based armor, and paraphenilia used to smoke opium.

Two soldiers of the No. 2 Company of Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Corps, firing a .303 caliber Vickers Mark I machine gun. The Vickers machine gun was used until 1968 by the British Army.

The resultant defeat of the Qing Dynasty in the Opium Wars lead to the cessession of Hong Kong from China to Britain in August, 1842 via the Treaty of Nanjing. Faced with possible attacks from France and Russia, the British decided to construct a number of batteries south of the main channel leading to Hong Kong. Designed by the Royal Engineers in 1880 to defend Victoria Harbor, the Lei Mun Fort was deemed the most sophisticated coastal fort of its time.

Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft cannon on display.

Originally comprised of 7,000 square meters, the fort consisted of eighteen armored casemates, constructed to function as barrack rooms, magazines, and storerooms. Once constructed, the structure was covered and concealed with dirt within the coast of the island. Construction was largely completed by 1887, allowing the fort to occupy a strategic position guarding the eastern approach to Victoria Harbor.

Brennan wire-guided torpedo. Developed in 1876, the torpedo was guided by observers from the shore using wires connected to the torpedo.

The fort was initially armed with two 6-inch Mk.IV breech loading cannons mounted on disappearing carriages. With a range of 8,200 meters (26,900 feet, or more than 5 miles), the guns at Lei Mun could defend the entire seaward approach to Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor.

At 11:55 p.m. on June 30, 1997, British soldiers handed over defense duties to the Hong Kong garrison. Effective midnight on July 1, 1997, the lease of Hong Kong expired, returning possession of Hong Kong to China.
Japanese officer in World War II uniform.

Concealed in an earthen emplacement, the Mk. IV guns were hidden until ready to be fired. The guns were then raised into position and fired, with the force of the recoil driving the guns back below the earthen emplacement and out of visual line of sight. In this manner, it was very difficult for a warship to place accurate and aimed fire upon the battery.

American 15-inch smoothbore field gun. Weighing 43,000 pounds, this cannon was cast in 1860 at the Fort Pitt foundry and mounted on the USS Catawaba. The warship was scuttled in the 1880s in a battle off Peru. The cannon was recovered from Hong Kong harbor in 1988. The details of how it arrived in Hong Kong remain a mystery.

Faced with a period of relative peace, the British soldiers assigned to Hong Kong endured a long and monotnous duty assignment. Flogging for minor misdemeanors had been abolished in the late 1800’s. Medical facilities, food, and accomidatons were improving, but were far from luxurious. Technological advances were leading to more sophisticated weaponry. Nevertheless, tropical diseases were rampant, and foreign service meant a prolonged period of absence from home. Being so far from home with boredom and an endless routine, led many soldiers to drink as a means of escape.

The 64-pound main gun, completed in March, 1887. Operated by 1 officer and 18 enlisted soldiers with the help of 3 observers, the gun could fire a 64-pound projectile a maximum range of 3,600 meters.

Barracks were simple, and remarkably similar to other British outposts around the world. Sharing a room with 30 other soldiers, the typical British soldier had a bed and a shelf to store his personal belongings. During the day, the bed would separate into two parts allowing one half to be stowed underneath allowing more space within the barracks during off-duty hours. Inspections of uniforms and equipment were conducted daily for cleanliness, completeness, and precise arrangement resulting in an orderly, if not austere, living conditions.

Body of a terra cotta land mine, used by the Japanese during World War II.

The fort continued in active service to the British monarchy until World War II. On 8 December 1941, the Japanese launched their attacks on Hong Kong. Following the capture of Kowloon and the surrounding area, the British Forces immediately strengthened the defenses at Lei Yue Mun to repel and prevent the Japanese from attacking Hong Kong. Although the British defense forces managed to repulse several raids by the Japanese, the British were overwhelmed on December 19, 1941, and the fort fell into the hands of the Japanese military. Following World War II, the fort bore no military significance in the post-war period, and was utilized as a training site for the British Forces until 1987 when it was finally vacated.

British Saracen armored personnel carrier. Developed in the 1950s, the Saracen is powered by a Rolls Royce, in-line 8-cylinder, liquid cooled gasoline engine. With a crew of 2, the Saracen could carry 12 fully equipped soldiers.

In view of its historical significance to Hong Kong history, the fort was developed into a museum, and opened to the public on July 25, 2000. Located at 175 Tung Hei Road, in the Shau Kei Wan district of Hong Kong, the museum is easily accessible by public transportation. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thursday. Admission is HK$10 for adults and HK$5 for students, handicapped and senior citizens. Admission is free on Wednesdays.

Gunner in the British Army, circa 1900. The bed and shelving units are identical to every barracks within the British Army. The bed is built in two parts, allowing one half to be stowed under the other half granting more space in what would have been a crowded barracks room.
As many readers know, Dolf Goldsmith lived in Hong Kong; and is well versed in the use of the Browning 1919 machine gun. Within the museum is a large plaque thanking Dolf Goldsmith for his “assistance and unfailing support in the construction of the Museum and its Permanent Collection.

To get to the museum via public transportation, take the Red subway line to the Shau Kei Wan Station. Exit the station via the B2 exit, and follow signs for the museum. The museum is an easy 10-15 minute walk from the subway station.

Ferret Mark II Scout Car. With a crew of 2, the Ferret is powered by a Rolls Royce V-6, liquid cooled, gasoline engine, and armed with a .303 Bren machine gun. This Ferret was transferred to the museum from the Royal Hong Kong Regiment in 1995.
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V12N3 (December 2008)

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Tags: 2008Hong Kong MuseumJason M. WongJason WongV12N3
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