The final stage in the history of Northe Fort was during the second world war. Both Portland and Weymouth harbours were important strategic sites. Weymouth for the transport of troops to Europe, most notably the American troops to Omaha beach on D-day and Portland as a major naval base.
In addition an anti-aircraft battery was added both to the Fort and elsewhere on the point to protect the harbours and town, where there was a factory of a major manufacturer of torpedos.
The fort was decommissioned in 1956 and became a naval stores. In 1961 it was sold to the local council, but little was done other than to create a nuclear shelter in part of the underground portion of the fort.The Fort is now managed by the Weymouth Civic Society which has restored it as a museum with exhibits covering its history and of war time Weymouth. Well worth a visit if you are in the area
Detail at http://www.nothefort.org.uk/
photo by Jim Linwood (https://www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/)
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