Originally in Dutch hands, the outstanding natural harbour was taken over by the British in 1796 and developed in a major naval base and coaling station.
The principal batteries defending the Harbour of Trincomalee were:
Trincomalee (Coaling Station)
Trincomalee Harbour
LOCATION
FORT FREDRICK
Citadel Battery
West Battery
Flagstaff Battery
Eastern Battery
Portuguese Battery
Cavalier Battery
Munro Battery (Ostenburgh Face)
1887
One 7-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 7-inch RML
Nil
Nil
1894
One 7-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 9-inch RML
One 7-inch RML
One 64-pdr RML
Nil
1907
Two 4.7-inch Q.F.
One 9.2inch BL Mark X
Nil
Nil
One 4.7-inch Q.F.
LOCATION
FORT OSTENBURGH
Ridge Battery
Regent's Battery
Ostenburgh Point Battery
1887
Nil
Two 7-inch RML
Nil
1894
One 10-inch RML
Two 7-inch RML
Three 6-pdr Q.F.
LOCATION
GREATER SOBER ISLAND
Arthur Battery
Wellesley Battery
French Battery
LITTLE SOBER ISLAND
Stewart Battery
1887
Three 10-inch RML
Two 40-pdr RBL
Nil
Nil
1894
Three 10-inch RML
Two 40-pdr RBL
Two 12-pdr Q.F.
Two 12-pdr Q.F.