It was built to defend the landward approaches to the North East of Plymouth.

This was part of an overall scheme for the defence of the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport.

Designed by Captain (later Maj General) Edmund Frederick Du Cane,[1] it was built by George Baker and Company and finished by the Royal Engineers.

It was sold by the War Office to Plymouth City Council in 1958.

[3] It is now a Thai Buddhist temple, established by Chao Khun Laow Panyasiri.