FORT CORNWALLIS

Fort Cornwallis is an old star-shaped fort located on the north-eastern coast of Penang, Malaysia. Fort Cornwallis is considered as an important monument and landmark in the historical development of Malaysia, particularly the island of Penang. Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. Set close to the Esplanade and Penang Clock tower, the star-shaped bastion is one of the oldest structures in Penang. Named after Marquis Charles Cornwallis, only a set of ten-foot high outer walls remain, with an enclosed park within. The moat has 9m wide and 2m deep surrounding the fort. When visiting the fort, five major must tourist see artifacts are first, the statue of the legendary Sir Captain Francis Light. In facts, no visitors would be able to miss this statue because it is located at entrance of the fort. Today, this statue, even though was sculptured based on his son, William Light’s picture, it is undeniably one of the famous icons associated with the history of the colonial era of Penang Island.

     The second must see artifact is a Seri Rambai cannon which has its own local folk and history. According to the local folk, they believe that Seri Rambai cannon can give a magical power. If infertile women place a flower to the barrel of the Seri Rambai cannon, it can increase the fertility rate. Actually in Fort Cornwallis they present us about 17 cannon, but the largest and most famous is Seri Rambai cannon. It is originally a gift from the Dutch to the Sultan of Johor in 1606. Then it was seized by Portuguese and taken to Java, then to Acheh. Finally it was seized by British in Kuala Selangor and brought it back to Penang then place it in Fort Cornwallis until now. Next would be the Gunpowder Magazine in which explosive was stored during British administration. It was constructed in 1814. The stricter of the bunker was built in the shape of pill box with a thick wall to minimize the damage if explosive may happen soon. The Gunpowder Magazine is located at its origin place at the northwest corner of the fort and near the Seri Rambai cannon.

     Then, the ever first Christian chapel, as well as one of the earliest roofed structures in the history of Penang, it can be found inside the fort. The small modest chapel was constructed in 1799 at the south west corner of the fort, just beside the jail cell. It was recorded that after Francis Light died, his widow, Martina Rozells, remarried to John Timmers in the chapel on the same year it was built. Beside the chapel, will be the row of barracks and a small jail cell that are still in its origin state which was built in 1811. The barracks were believed to be used as storage for artilleries. As for the small jail cell, it’s in in between the barracks and the chapel. Last but not least near the cannon is Penang Harbour Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthouse in the country. Originally it was known as Fort point Lighthouse but after they make a renovation it was renamed to the Penang Harbour Lighthouse. It is used for signal incoming ships. The flagstaff was used to announce the arrival of mail ships or the decent of the Governor and other dignitaries from the Penang Hill. The specialty about this lighthouse, it is the only one in the country that looks like a ships mast.

THANK YOU BY SYAZWANI