It was built between 1910 and 1912 by the British on high ground on the seaward face of Benghisa Point, the southern arm of Marsaxlokk Bay.

It was part of a chain of fortifications intended to protect Marsaxlokk Harbour, along with Fort Delimara and Fort Tas-Silġ on Delimara point, the north arm of Marsaxlokk Bay, Fort San Lucian on Kbira point in the middle of the bay, and the Pinto and Ferretti batteries on the coast.

The rents were renewed until 2011, when the government stopped accepting them with the intention to evict the tenants.

[2] A 2016 enforcement notice was ignored by the squatters, and the government eventually took back possession of the fort in February 2025.

[3] The fort and its environs are currently in a state of neglect, although the gatehouse and the shoreward ditch are in decent shape.