Singapore’s Abandoned Forts: Secrets Beneath | Hidden Histories - Part 1/4

Key Concepts

Fort Surapong: A British fortification complex on Sentosa (formerly Pulau Blakang Mati).
Pulau Blakang Mati: The former name of Sentosa, meaning "the island behind which lies death" in Malay.
8-inch Breech Loading Guns: Large artillery pieces used at Fort Surapong.
Casemates: Fortified vaults built into the side of a hill for ammunition storage.
Tangan Barracks (Dempsey Hill): A former British military barracks now a lifestyle hub.
Sepoys: Indian soldiers serving in the British army.
1915 Sepoy Mutiny: A rebellion by Indian troops stationed at Tangan Barracks.
Tang Military Hospital: A hospital set up by the British at Tangan Barracks, later used by the Japanese during WWII.
SAF: Singapore Armed Forces, which took over British military installations after independence.
School of Field Engineers: A unit of the SAF stationed at Fort Surapong.

Fort Surapong: A Hidden Military Site

The video explores Fort Surapong, a massive, overgrown fortification complex on Sentosa, built by the British in 1879. Access is restricted due to its dilapidated state. The fort was the largest fortification complex built by the British on Sentosa Island.

Purpose: The fort was strategically located at the highest point on Sentosa (92m) to observe and defend the shipping straits.
Components: It consisted of four gun emplacements, two magazines for ammunition, two batteries, command posts, and a water catchment system.
8-inch Breech Loading Guns: The fort featured 8-inch breech-loading guns, named after the diameter of the gun muzzle. These guns could rotate 180 degrees and fire 80kg steel shells over 4 km (later upgraded to 20 km).
Cartridge Cover: A cartridge cover dating back to the 1800s was found near a gun emplacement.
Casemates and Magazines: The casemates, fortified vaults built into the hillside, connected to underground magazines where ammunition shells were stored. Ventilation shafts provided cooling.
Manpower: A gun emplacement required about 14 men, with 7-8 soldiers in the magazine. Soldiers manually pushed ammunition up ramps until hydraulic hoists were installed in 1908.
Threats: The fort was built to defend against potential threats, primarily the Russians in the late 1800s, who were seen as a major threat to British interests in the region.
Piracy: Piracy was rampant in the surrounding seas in the early days of British rule. In 1833, local merchants lost cargo and money to pirate attacks to the tune of over 100,000 Spanish dollars (equivalent of almost 4 million USD today). The fort increased surveillance and control over ships entering and leaving Singapore and acted as a deterrence.

Indian Convict Labor

The video investigates the claim that Fort Surapong was built by Indian convicts.

Convict Labor System: The British used Indian convicts as a cost-effective solution to labor shortages in Singapore. They were used to clear land and construct buildings.
Examples: Convicts built the Government House (Istana), Cavenagh Bridge, and St. Andrew's Cathedral.
Abolishment: The convict labor system was abolished by 1873 due to complaints from European residents.
Evidence at Fort Surapong: A document from the 1830s shows Indian convicts manning a flag signal station on Sapong Hill, predating the fort's construction.
Robert Little's Report: A report by Dr. Robert Little describes a deadly epidemic on Pulau Blakang Mati, where convicts manning the flag staff regularly died due to poor conditions.

Tangan Barracks (Dempsey Hill): From Military Base to Lifestyle Hub

The video explores the history of Tangan Barracks, now known as Dempsey Hill, and its transformation from a military base to a lifestyle hub.

Early Barracks: The first blocks of the barracks were established in 1861 on a former nutmeg plantation.
Purpose: The barracks were built inland to house the increasing number of soldiers needed to defend against potential attacks from Russia and China.
Construction: The buildings were robustly constructed with thick pillars and walls to withstand gunfire and explosions. Early versions had roofs made of palm leaves (atap).
Recreational Facilities: The barracks included recreational facilities like a cricket field, gym, and pool.
1915 Sepoy Mutiny: In 1915, sepoys (Indian soldiers) rebelled due to dissatisfaction with working conditions and rumors of being sent to fight fellow Muslims. They attacked the guard post and sought help from German prisoners of war, who refused to join them. The mutiny was suppressed after seven days, and 47 sepoys were publicly executed.
WWII and Japanese Occupation: During WWII, Tangan Barracks was captured by the Japanese. Block 71 was used to store medicines, and British and Australian prisoners of war smuggled medicine to makeshift hospitals in their prison camps.
Post-War Era: After the war, the barracks became the headquarters of the British Far East Land Forces.
Carrie Taylor's Experience: Carrie Taylor, a former British service woman, was stationed at Tangan Barracks in 1963 as a driver. She met her first husband at the barracks and married him at the local garrison church.
SAF Takeover: In 1965, Singapore gained independence, and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) took control of Tangan Barracks.

Fort Surapong Under SAF Control

The video examines Fort Surapong after it was taken over by the SAF.

SAF School of Field Engineers: In 1968, Winston Wong and Cor Singh Hong were posted to Fort Surapong as part of the pioneer batch of the SAF's School of Field Engineers.
Combat Engineer Training: They trained to become combat engineers, supporting infantry in river crossing, demolition, and opening of tracks.
Living Conditions: Soldiers lived in former barracks downhill from the gun emplacements.
Dining Hall: The dining hall catered standard military fare to the 48 soldiers stationed there.
Interaction with Villagers: Soldiers interacted with villagers in the nearby Sapong Village. Winston Wong sketched the village, capturing the communal life and friendly interactions between soldiers and villagers.
Relocation: The villagers were eventually relocated, and the village was replaced by a golf course.

Conclusion

The video uncovers the hidden stories behind Singapore's military past, from the abandoned Fort Surapong to the transformed Tangan Barracks (Dempsey Hill). It highlights the human side of the military world through memories and anecdotes, revealing the island's strategic importance and the lives of those who served there. The narrative emphasizes the shifting times, from British colonial rule to Singapore's independence, and the evolution of these military sites.