Fort Kelburne

Construction Fort Kelburne was the first of four coastal fortifications built in Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin in the development of New Zealand's coastal defences during the Russian scare. Construction began in December 1885 and was completed in April 1887. The naming of the fort varies in difference references between Kelburn and Kelburne, but is likely named after Viscount Kelburne, the eldest son of Lord Glasgow, who was the governor-general of New Zealand from 1892 to 1897. Specifications The fort was built on a series of tiered levels following the topography of the hill, with its main guns mounted apart. A brick and concrete palisade along with a spiked steel fence was built around the gun pits to repel land-based attackers. The guns were linked underground by a bomb-proof passage. All underground galleries and gun pits were built using the cut-and-cover method. == Fortifications and Armaments ==

• 1887–1925: • 2x 6-inch disappearing gun • 1x 13 or 15-pounder Nordenfelt gun == Remains and artefacts ==

Little to no remains of the fort can be seen today, due to the construction of the Wellington Urban Motorway. The access road up the hill from Ngauranga remains, while one 6-inch Armstrong hydro-pneumatic gun remains as a monument at Trentham Military Camp. Other remains are located at the National Army Museum in Waiouru. However, during demolition by the Public Works Department, the fort was well documented with photographs and diagrams made. Copies of these can be found at both Archives New Zealand, as well as the National Library of New Zealand. == See also ==