It was built as a result of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom of 1859, in order to protect the St Helens anchorage.

This was due in part to the doctrines of the Jeune École of French naval thinking, which emphasised attacking ports with small craft, instead of fleet action, as well as the launch of the first ironclad warship, the Gloire.

The forts were later used for defence in both World War I and WWII, although the heavier armaments proved unpopular with local householders due to the concussion breaking windows during firing practice.

Periodically (often in August), on one of the lowest tides of the year, there is a mass walk from St Helens beach out to the fort and back.

As of 2020, Spitbank, No Man's Land and Horse Sand Forts were also privately owned (by Clarenco);[7] the first two had been converted into hotels after a major restoration.