Fedeau Battery

Fedeau Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Fedeau) was an artillery battery in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714-16 as part of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands, and it was demolished in the 20th century.

Fedeau Battery
Batterija ta' Fedeau
Mellieħa, Malta
Coordinates35°58′30.4″N 14°21′7.4″E
TypeArtillery battery
Site history
Built1714–1716
Built byOrder of Saint John
MaterialsLimestone
FateDemolished

Fedeau Battery was also known as Vendôme Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Vendôme), Ta' Kassisu Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Qassisu) or Mellieħa Left Battery.[1]

History

Fedeau Battery was built between 1714 and 1716 as part of the Order of Saint John's first building program of coastal fortifications.[1] It was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Mellieħa Bay, which also included Westreme Battery, Mellieħa Redoubt and several entrenchments.[2]

The knight Mongontier contributed 423 scudi for the construction of the battery, while the remaining 899.4.17 scudi were paid by the Order. The battery's layout was similar to Ferretti Battery, consisting of a semi-circular gun platform with a parapet having three embrasures. The gorge had two blockhouses with a redan in the centre.

In 1748, Grand Master Pinto converted the battery into a tuna processing plant.[1][3] Despite this, it did not lose its military function as it was armed with four 8-pounder guns in 1770.[1][4]

The battery was in part demolished in the 20th century. Its site is now occupied by the Mellieħa Bay Hotel.[1] The remains of the battery still exist and are currently being studied for preservation. The present hotel will be demolished and a new hotel will be built. The remains will be incorporated into the project.[5]

References
  1. Muscat, David (2008). "Report on Tunny Fishing in Malta with a particular focus on the Mellieħa Tonnara". In Anthony Bonanno (ed.). Malta and Sicily: Miscellaneous Research Projects (PDF). p. 276. ISBN 978-88-88615-83-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Muscat, David (2008). "Report on Tunny Fishing in Malta with a particular focus on the Mellieħa Tonnara". In Anthony Bonanno (ed.). Malta and Sicily: Miscellaneous Research Projects (PDF). p. 272. ISBN 978-88-88615-83-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Spiteri, Stephen C. (7 September 2012). "Restoring Ximenes Redoubt". MilitaryArchitecture.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. Debono, Charles. "Fortifications - Ta' Qassisu Battery". Mellieha.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. "ERA greenlights redevelopment of Mellieħa Bay Hotel, which will double in size".
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