Fedeau Battery ( mt, Batterija ta' Fedeau) was an

artillery battery In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit or multiple systems of artillery, mortar systems, rocket artillery, multiple rocket launchers, surface-to-surface missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, etc., so grouped to fac ...

in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714-16 as part of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands, and it was demolished in the 20th century. Fedeau Battery was also known as Vendôme Battery ( mt, Batterija ta' Vendôme), Ta' Kassisu Battery ( mt, Batterija ta' Qassisu) or Mellieħa Left Battery.

History

Fedeau Battery was built between 1714 and 1716 as part of the Order of Saint John's first building program of coastal fortifications. It was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Mellieħa Bay, which also included Westreme Battery,

Mellieħa Redoubt Mellieħa Redoubt ( mt, Ridott tal-Mellieħa) was a redoubt in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. The redoubt was demolished in the ...

and several entrenchments. The knight Mongontier contributed 423 scudi for the construction of the battery, while the remaining 899.4.17 scudi were paid by the Order. The battery's layout was similar to

Ferretti Battery Ferretti Battery ( mt, Batterija ta' Ferretti), also known as Qajjenza Battery ( mt, Batterija tal-Qajjenza) or Saint George's Battery ( mt, Batterija ta' San Ġorġ), is an artillery battery in the village of Qajjenza, within the limits of Bir� ...

, consisting of a semi-circular gun platform with a parapet having three embrasures. The gorge had two blockhouses with a redan in the centre. In 1748, Grand Master

Pinto Pinto is a Portuguese, Spanish, Jewish (Sephardic), and Italian surname. It is a high-frequency surname in all Portuguese-speaking countries and is also widely present in Spanish-speaking countries, Italy, India especially in Mangalore, Kar ...

converted the battery into a tuna processing plant. Despite this, it did not lose its military function as it was armed with four 8-pounder guns in 1770. The battery was in part demolished in the 20th century. Its site is now occupied by the Mellieħa Bay Hotel. The remains of the battery still exist and are currently being studied for preservation. The present hotel will be demolished and a new hotel will be built. The remains will be incorporated into the project.

References

Batteries in Malta Mellieħa Hospitaller fortifications in Malta Military installations established in 1715 Demolished buildings and structures in Malta Buildings and structures demolished in the 20th century Limestone buildings in Malta 18th-century fortifications 1715 establishments in Malta 18th Century military history of Malta {{Malta-geo-stub