History
The Restoration of Fort Cornwallis
Associate Professor Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad and
Dr. Badaruddin Mohamed
School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia
|
History
The Restoration of Fort Cornwallis School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia |
| RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC FORT
Abstract THIS PAPER HIGHLIGHTS the various stages involved in the restoration project of the historic Fort Cornwallis, Penang, Malaysia including historical studies, building defect diagnoses, structural analyses; and systems of recording and documentation. It also discusses the methods and techniques used in handling the building defects. As conservation activities are seen as a new phenomena in the local architectural scene, the paper also highlights some issues and problems associated with the restoration project. Keywords: Restoration, conservation, heritage, building defects, recording 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 RM2.1 million (US$0.5 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
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. These buildings and structures were located either near the main entrances, at the fort corners or along the fort walls, leaving an open space in the middle of the fort for military march and parades. 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 chapel was built for Christian officers, troops and inmates for worship and matrimonial services. The harbour light was used to signal incoming ships whilst the flagstaff was used to announce the arrival of mail ships or the descent of the Governor and other dignitaries from the Penang Hill (3). Even though the fort was originally built for the Royal artillery
troops and the military, its function historically was more
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 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 (5). All building defects were classified into five major categories (C1 to C5) that were later used as a based reference in the preparation of quantity bills and building documentations (refer Table 1 [This table with its detailed defects is omitted here - Ed]). 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 (see Table 1). The codes were transferred and recorded accordingly on the fort plans and elevations. For instance, the code C1/2/9 refers to Category I of the second building defect (leaning wall) and that such building defect is the ninth item of its type. 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. |
4. Structural Analyses 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. 4.1 X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF) 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 analyse their components through the process of X-ray Fluorescence analysis (XRF). Example of the results taken from the XRF analysis is shown in Table 2. [Table is omitted here-Ed] Results of the X-ray Fluorescence analysis have indicated that samples of the building materials have relatively high content of 8102 and CaO. Based on these results, several mixtures of lime plaster, fine sand and red clay of different proportions have been mixed and set up to match the existing building materials on site. 4.2 Compressive Tests of Red Clay Bricks Most of the old red clay bricks used on the fort walls are handmade and are of different length, heigh and width. The length of each brick ranges from 20.3cm to 24.7cm while the width is between 9cm to 12.7cm. 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. Table 3 shows the results of the brick compressive tests on samples of the fort's old bricks. [Table 3 is omitted here -Ed] 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 salvage red clay bricks were first sent to the laboratories to determine their compressive strengths. Result; from the tests had revealed that all salvaged red clay bricks have similarly high level of compressive strengths ranging from 24.0 N/mm2 to 47.8 N/mm2 4.3 Foundation Load Tests An archaeological work was carried out to excavate the wall foundations on the west zone of the Fo Cornwallis before the reconstruction of the demolished walls could proceed. After several weeks of close-monitoring excavation, the existing wall foundations on the west zone were determined and documented. The old fort foundations were found embedded about 1.5m beneath the ground and this finding was also recorded during the excavation work. Several load tests of eight to sixteen tons were carried out at six different locations along the existing foundation walls to ensure their strength in supporting the new brickworks. Results from the load tests have indicated that the foundation wall are structurally sound and capable of supporting the new brickworks. |
| 5. System
of Recording and Documentation 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 Antique 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. 5.1 Historical Architectural Building Survey (HABS) Stage One of the HABS requires the conditions of the entire fort to be recorded before restoration works began. All wall and roof surfaces were fixed with yellow strings to form small grids of 1 m 2. Each grid was then labelled systematically, photographed and stored in a computer database. A total of 2,500 grids were fixed at the fort for recording and documentation purposes. All information on the types of building defect, conservation techniques, grid locations and scaled photographs were recorded in a standardised form before they were stored in the database for future reference and final documentation. Stage Two of the HABS involved the analyses of building materials, scientific tests and identification of appropriate conservation methods and techniques to be adopted. This stage requires extensive inputs from various expert professionals including structural engineer, building conservationist, quantity surveyor, archaeologist, microbiologist, chemist and geologist. Stage Three of the HABS involved the actual restoration works. Several proven conservation methods and techniques recommended by the professionals were implemented in this stage. The conditions of the fort were later photographed and recorded for final documentation. 5.2 Recording of Archaeological Works Two methods of archaeological works were adopted in the restoration project of the Fort Cornwallis. The two methods are trial trench and quadrant system, both of which are based on a grid system of 1.5m in depth. The trial trench involves a 2.5m x 2.5m excavation in a linear form whilst the quadrant system requires a 5m x 5m excavation in multiple quadrant patterns. A total volume of 72 m2 located mainly inside the fort's compound was devoted to the trial-trench method. Such method was considered more appropriate to identify some of the building structures that lay beneath the ground, including the military barracks. On the other hand, the quadrant system was deemed more appropriate to be employed in a bigger area for the excavation of the foundation walls of the west zone. Both methods of archaeological works also required a systematic recording and documentation. Photographs were taken to record the conditions of the grids at every 20cm-depth interval. Each grid was numbered and coded accordingly. Artifacts discovered during the excavation works including pottery, roof tiles, smoking pipes, coins and bottles were carefully registered and photographed. |
| 6. Methods
and Techniques of Conservation The restoration of the Fort Cornwallis involved several methods and techniques of conservation; all of which was recorded and documented for future references. 6.1. Stained Walls Black-stained walls was considered a common building defect at the Fort Cornwallis. This problem is largely due to the effects of air pollution. In this project stains were carefully removed from the walls by using low-pressure washing technique. Water washing at a controlled water pressure was applied directly onto the affected wall area before hand scrapping off the stains. Soft wire brush was used to avoid serious damages to the wall surfaces. 6.2. Moss Stain and Harmful Growth High moisture content on the wall surfaces had triggered some microorganism growth including alga, microscopic bacteria, mosses and fungi. Samples of the microorganism growth was tested and analysed by the consultant microbiologist, particularly on the life cycle of microorganisms and the appropriate chemical to remove it. All microorganism growth was removed by using low-pressure washing technique and soft wire brush. A special kind of calcium-fixative based chemical, which acted as both fungicidal and bactericidal, was then used onto the clean wall surface. The chemical was also used to weatherproof, preserve and prevent further stains by moss and fungus on brickwork. Any harmful growth found on the brickwork including creeping and ivy plant was removed by cutting the plants and applying an ammonium-sulphamate based chemical on the cut root. This would gradually wither and kill the plants. 6.3. Leaning Walls Leaning walls at the fort were caused by several factors including soil movement, presence of dampness, water pressure or constant traffic vibrations. To reduce further pressures on the leaning wall, the method of wall jacking was used with minimum disturbance to the wall structures. The method was carried out by first removing 60-75cm of earth behind the leaning wall. Raking shores were used to provide temporary support to the leaning wall throughout the earth removal work. Several 10cm-diameter concrete piles at about 25cm intervals were placed by hand drilling behind the leaning wall. The wall was later jacked gradually to its original position. Once the wall was reinstated to its original position, the empty trench behind the leaning wall was filled in with earth. To reduce the water pressure, a few weepholes were fixed at the lower level of the wall. 6.4 Major and Fine Cracks Cracks, either major or fine, were common building defects at the Fort Cornwallis, particularly on walls and roof top. Such defects were investigated and analysed by consultant structural engineer. Cracks either on walls or roof top were caused by many factors including local settlement, water pressure, microorganism growth, erosion mortar joints and constant traffic vibrations. For major cracks on brickwork, each affected brick was labeled, recorded and removed. The bricks were then reinstated to their original positions. Where mortar joints were weathered out or became soft and crumbly, re-pointing were undertaken. Re-pointing mortar joints of brickwork was done by raking out the decayed mortar joint at the depth of between 25mm and 40mm; and refilling the joint with the closest possible lime-sand-red clay mortar. For fine cracks on walls and roof top, mixture of lime plaster and water was poured into the cracks by using Peter Cox's method. Such method required the mixture to be placed in an empty bottle that has rubber tube underneath. The rubber tube was inserted onto any fine cracks to allow the mixture to fill in any capillaries or fine holes in the wall structures or roof top. 6.5 Paint Colour Scheme Painting of the exterior and interior walls of the chapel, gunpowder magazine, cell room and store was conducted in accordance with the colour scheme analyses. The original colour of the walls was identified by carefully scrapping off every single layer of paint on the wall surfaces. The colour scheme analyses undertaken by the contractor and conservation consultant have revealed that the original colours of the buildings were white, golden yellow and light blue. Water-based emulsion paint was used in all re-painting work at the Fort Cornwallis. # |
| ########## References: (1) Raiha Mohd Saud, Kota-kota Bersejarah Di Semenanjung Malaysia, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia 1981. (2) Abdul Rahim Hassan, "Fort Cornwallis", Catalan Sejarah Fort Cornwallis, Pulau Pinang, Gerak Urus Sdn. Bhd., 1991, pg. 2. (3) Khoo Su Nin, Streets of Georgetown Penang, Janus Prints & Resources, 1993. (4) Cheah Ui Hoon, "Penang fort may be excavated", The Star, April 22, 2000, pg. 10. (5) Laporan Cadangan Projek Pemuliharaan Kota Cornwallis, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Jurutera Perundingelangi SB, 1999 Extracts from a paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Inspection Appraisal Repairs & Maintenance of Buildings and Structures, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom in September 2001 ********** |
| The Penang Story is a project organised by the Penang Heritage Trust in collaboration with Star Publications with the aim of assisting Penang and Malacca's joint listing in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations's World Heritage list. The project is sponsored by the Japan Foundation, ABN-AMRO Bank and the Penang Government with the City Bayview as the ofdficial hotel. The Penang Story tells of the peoples of Penang and can be found at www.penangstory.net |
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___________________ The Penang File Issue 20 |
administrative rather than defence. In its entire history, the fort had never been engaged in any battle. When Penang changed its position from a military base to civil administration in 1898, the fort lost much of its importance (4). 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.