[2] It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.

It was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Marsaxlokk Bay, which also included six other batteries, the large Saint Lucian Tower, two smaller De Redin towers, four redoubts and three entrenchments.

[3] The battery was named after the knight Francesco Maria Ferretti, who provided over 900 scudi for its construction.

The parapet with embrasures was demolished, while the ditch was converted into a moat filled with seawater.

Some of the missing embrasures have been rebuilt, and despite some modern alterations, the structure still retains most of its features.