The Sliema Batteries () were a series of

artillery batteries 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 ...

Sliema Sliema ( ) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta in the Districts of Malta#Northern Harbour District, Northern Harbour District. It is a major residential and commercial area and a centre for shopping, bars, dining, and café life. ...

Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...

, that were built by Maltese insurgents during the

French blockade French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), a ...

of 1798–1800. They were the first in a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in

Marsamxett Marsamxett Harbour (), historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It is located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour. The harbour is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand Ha ...

and the

Grand Harbour The Grand Harbour (; ), also known as the Port of Marsa, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks ( Malta Dockyard), wharves, and fortifications. Description The h ...

. The batteries were built by

Vincenzo Borg Vincenzo Maria Borg (, 1773 – 18 July 1837), also known by his nickname Brared (or ''Braret''), was a Maltese merchant who was one of the main insurgent leaders during the French blockade of 1798–1800. He was a lieutenant from 1801 until he ...

. The following batteries are known to have existed: *Imrabat Battery: This was armed with two or four mortars. It had an underground casemate (similar to the one at

Għargħar Battery Għargħar Battery (), also known as Ta' Ittuila Battery () and Ta' Xindi Battery (), was an artillery battery in present-day San Ġwann, Malta, built by National Congress Battalions, Maltese insurgents during the Siege of Malta (1798–1800), F ...

, also built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade) and a gun crew shelter. It was surrounded by extensive walls and had a bastion. * Ischina Battery: This was a small battery equipped with an 18-pounder, and was situated in a field known as ''ta' Xini''. It was possibly located at Fond Għadir, close to where Sliema Point Battery was later built. Vincenzo Borg often stood guard at this battery. *Sqaq Kappara Battery: This battery overlooked and bombarded

Fort Manoel Fort Manoel ( or ''Fortizza Manoel'') is a star fort on Manoel Island in Gżira, Malta. It was built in the 18th century by the Order of Saint John, during the reign of Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, after whom it is named. Fort Ma ...

. *Six walled positions along present day Main Street, including two batteries at Għar il-Lembi, armed with two and three guns. Other batteries known as ''tal-Blat'' and ''ta' Sbiese'' also existed. The Sliema batteries still existed in 1811, but like the other French blockade fortifications, they were dismantled, possibly sometime after 1814. No traces of the batteries can be seen today.

References

Artillery battery fortifications in Malta Sliema Military installations established in 1798 Demolished buildings and structures in Malta French occupation of Malta Vernacular architecture in Malta Limestone buildings in Malta 1798 establishments in Malta 18th-century fortifications 18th Century military history of Malta {{Malta-struct-stub