| Geoscience and Environment |
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Fort Cornwallis is separated from the seafront by a road. The fort can be seen beyond the trees and the children's playground, with equipment in red. The white building in the center of the photo just beyond and to the left of the playground and partly obscured by trees is the magazine for storage of ammunition. To the left of the magazine a Dutch cannon mounted on wheels points out to sea. Past the magazine on the left of the grassy area a row of cannons is mounted in the wall. A mast is located at the far end of the fort complex. In the background ships are passing through the strait that separates the island from the mainland, which is just visible in the distance. The haze visible in the scene is part of the regional problem caused by widespread fires in Indonesia.
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Fort Cornwallis from the GroundFort Cornwallis never engaged in battle because the great powers were occupied by a European war. This was fortunate for the defenders, since the cannon would have been sufficient to fend off pirates but not the great guns of capital warships or their land forces. |
| The Dutch Cannon, which is older than the British cannons, was not part of the original armament. |  |
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| The British cannons were newly manufactured as indicated by the dates engraved on them. The letters WG probably refer to George William, King George III. The number 32 probably indicated a 32-pounder, a typical frigate weapon further indicating that the fort was lightly armed. |  |
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