It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion.

It was sited to cross fire with the nearby Needles Battery Originally designed to mount six 68 Pounder guns, construction of the battery began in 1865.

Before it was completed it was decided to mount seven guns in three groups.

This comprised two 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) guns on each flank and three 7-inch Rifled Breech Loading (RBL) guns in the centre.

Instead these men were billetted at nearby Golden Hill Fort.