Restoration of the Fort Cornwallis,
Penang
Associate Professor Dr.
A. Ghafar Ahmad
School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
11800 Penang
(Extract from: Associate
Prof. Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad & Dr.Badaruddin Mohamed, “Restoration
of the Historic Fort Cornwallis, Penang, Malaysia” in Prof. Chris Page,
et. al., eds., 7th International Conference on Inspection Appraisal Repairs
Maintenance of Buildings and Structures, United Kingdom: Nottingham Trent
University, 2001, p. 355-362 )
 1. Introduction
Being the biggest and the most intact fort in Malaysia,
the Fort Cornwallis is considered as an important monument and landmark in
the historical development of Malaysia, particularly the island of Penang.
In 1977, the Malaysian Government had listed the fort under the Antiquities
Act 1976 for the purposes of conservation and preservation.
In March 2000, the Malaysian Government through
the Department of Museums and Antiquity had granted a total sum of RM1.9
million for the restoration project of the Fort Cornwallis. Restoration works
were carried out over a period of one year and was completed in March 2001.
A team of consultants including structural engineer and conservation consultant
were appointed by the government to assist and monitor the project progress.
Other professionals including quantity surveyor, archaeologist, microbiologist,
geologist and electrical engineer were also involved in providing expert
advise on specific methods and techniques employed during the project.
 2. Historical Background
Named after the late 18th century Governor-General
of Bengal, India, the Fort Cornwallis was built by Captain Sir Francis Light
at a site located at the northeastern tip of Penang Island after taking
possession of the island from the Sultan of Kedah in 1786. It was originally
built with a nibong (palm trunk) stockade with no permanent structures, covering
an area of 417.6 ft 2. In 1804, the fort was rebuilt with bricks and stones
by Indian convict labour during Colonel R.T. Farquhar’s term as Governor
of Penang. The Fort Cornwallis was later completed in 1810 during Norman
Macalister’s term as Governor of Penang at the cost of $80,000. Today,
the Fort Cornwallis covers an area of 332,859 ft 2 2. Early survey maps,
old photographs and historical records of the Fort Cornwallis have shown
that the star-shaped fort was packed with buildings and structures including
military barracks and offices as well as a gunpowder magazine, a chapel,
a harbour light, flagstaff, cannons, cell rooms, a store and guard houses;
some of which still survived and are structurally sound. A moat of 9m wide
and 2m deep was built around the fort. However, due to the malaria epidemic
in the 1920’s, the moat had been filled in. The harbour light was used
to signal incoming ships whilst the flagstaff was used to announce the arrival
of mail ships or the decent of the Governor and other dignitaries from the
Penang Hill.
Even though the fort was originally built for the
Royal artillery troops and the military, its function historically was more
administrative rather than defense. In its entire history, the fort had never
been engaged in any battle. Apart from being used for the British Royal artillery
troops, the fort was once occupied by the Sikh Police of the Straits Settlements
during the 1920’s. Today, with its aged-old and rough characteristics,
the fort has lost some of its structures except the gunpowder magazine, a
Christian chapel, cell rooms, flagstaff, harbour light and several cannons.
The fort originally has double walls (outer and inner walls) on all its 4
sides (north, east, south and west zones). However, the double walls on the
west zone was demolished in the early 1970’s to give way for the city
sewerage systems and electrical equipments. Instead, an iron fence was placed
along the west zone. A modern amphitheatre was also built inside the fort
in the early 1970’s to promote cultural activities and since then the
fort has become a popular destination among the local and foreign tourists.
In 1991, the government had privatised the management of the Fort Cornwallis
in an effort to enhance its position as one of the prime tourist attractions
in Penang.
 3. Building Defect Diagnoses and Structural Analyses
Before the commencement of any restoration works,
dilapidation surveys were carried out first in order to identify building
defects and causes. Some of the building defects discovered at the fort were
leaning walls, cracks, erosion of mortar joints, broken brickworks, harmful
growths, poor drainage system, improper maintenance and poor electrical
installations. All building defects were classified into five major categories
that were later used as a based reference in the preparation of quantity
bills and building documentations.
Prior to any restoration works, all building defects
were recorded systematically in pictorial documentation, fort plans and
elevations. A specific coding system was established by the conservation
consultant to keep track of the total numbers of building defects of the
respective categories, locations of building defects and possible causes.
The codes were transferred and recorded accordingly on the fort plans and
elevations.
Since most of the building defects involved structural
rectifications and remedial measures, the restoration works required in-depth
technical knowledge, particularly in architecture, building conservation,
quantity surveying and structural engineering. However, other expertise and
knowledge are also essential including archeology, microbiology and quantity
survey. With the main objective of minimum intervention on the fort’s
surface and structures, the restoration works were based on a methodological
system of recording of the fort conditions before, during and after restoration;
scientific analyses of selected building materials as well as proven conservation
methods to alleviate some common building problems. It was essential to conduct
structural analyses prior to any restoration works. Most of the analyses
involved testing of the existing building materials, structural rectifications
and other remedial measures. Before restoration works began, samples of the
existing building materials including old mortar joints, cement top and wall
plaster were sent to the laboratories to analyze their components through
the process of X-ray Fluorescence analysis (XRF).
To ascertain the strengths of the existing red clay
bricks, several compressive tests have been carried out on selected brick
samples taken from the fort walls. The restoration project of the Fort Cornwallis
required the use of thousands of new bricks, particularly in reconstructing
the demolished walls on the west zone, replacing broken brickworks and
restructuring the leaning and cracked walls. With respect to the age, texture,
compressive strength and measurement of the fort’s existing red clay
bricks, salvaged red clay bricks from abandoned old shophouses in Penang
built between 1892 and 1928 have also been used. Samples of the salvaged
red clay bricks were first sent to the laboratories to determine their
compressive strengths.
 4. System of Recording and Archaeological Works
The restoration of the Fort Cornwallis involved
a systematic method of recording and documentation based on the Historical
Architectural Building Survey (HABS) introduced by the Museum and Antiquity
Department of Malaysia. The HABS, which involved 3 major stages, was carried
out throughout the entire project to record and document the conditions of
the fort before, during and after restoration. Apart from the HABS, all
archaeological works involved in the project were also recorded systematically
for documentation purposes. Artifacts discovered during the excavation works
including pottery, roof tiles, smoking pipes, coins and bottles were carefully
registered and photographed.
5. Future Plans and Proposals
A mounting interest in heritage conservation among
Malaysians, particularly the local Penangites; Fort Cornwallis restoration
appearing in the local news; project presentations at heritage seminars and
meetings have all placed the Fort Cornwallis in the public limelight. The
restoration of the Fort Cornwallis has indeed received an overwhelming response
from the local and foreign tourists who had visited the site during the
restoration project. With the reconstruction of walls, the entrance gate
and the exposure of the moat at the fort’s west zone, the tourists now
would be able to experience the Fort Cornwallis as it was in the old days.
 The restoration of the Fort Cornwallis has posed
a great challenge to many, particularly those directly involved in the
conservation of this historical landmark of Penang. It has exemplified positive
efforts by the Malaysian Government, particularly the Department of Museum
and Antiquity in conserving heritage buildings and monuments for future
posterity. The successful restoration of the Fort Cornwallis project has
breathe new life and brings hope for the future of this historic fort. A
proposal has been initiated to establish a Fort Cornwallis Research Centre
within the fort vicinity to encourage research activities concerning the
fort and heritage conservation as a whole. The centre could among others
set up a display of various artifacts found during the restoration work;
pictorial documentation of Fort Cornwallis, archeological surveys, old maps
and photographs as well as other documentations related to the fort. Parts
of the existing trial trench in the main compound of the Fort Cornwallis
may also be open for tourist attraction. Further archaeological works should
be carried out in the future to reveal the old structures and moat of the
Fort. A cyclical maintenance programme should be established to monitor and
maintain the conditions of the Fort. It is envisaged that the restoration
of the Fort Cornwallis would rally more interest and support for heritage
conservation within Penang and the country in the future.
* Associate Professor Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad is the conservation consultant
for the restoration project of the Fort Cornwallis.
Related article: The Star
on the North East Coast of Penang. Click here
for full story. |
