Princess Royal Battery and Magazine

These works, consisting of gun emplacements and a magazine blasted out of solid granite, were constructed between 1891 and 1892 under the supervision of Mr John Blackbourn, Defence engineer to the State of Victoria.

The battery, built to guard Princess Royal Harbour and King George’s Sound, never saw hostile action but its design and durability are good examples of the military engineering techniques of the period.

Entry to Princess Royal Battery - plaque located on wall to the right of the door
Source: Mike Taylor

Princess Royal Fortress is now also the site of the National Anzac Centre. A site plan showing the location of this Centre, the Underground Magazine (20) and the Princess Royal Battery (23) is available here.

Princess Royal Battery and Magazine Plaque
Source: Mike Taylor

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Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Historic Engineering Marker (HEM)
Award Date	November 1988
Heritage Significance	These works consisting of gun emplacements and magazine were constructed in solid granite between 1891 and 1892 under the supervision of Mr John Blackburn, Defence Engineer to the State of Victoria. The Battery built to guard Princess Royal Harbour and King George’s Sound, never saw hostile action however, its durability is a good example of nineteenth century Australian Military Engineering.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report	Not Available.
Plaque/Interpretation Panel	See above.

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References:
Martin, Roger, A Sound Defence: The Story of Princess Royal Fortress King George III Sound Western Australia,Town of Albany, 1987.