BATTERIODDE AT VALLØ

If you follow the coastal path out of Furustrand heading south to Vallø you will come to Batteriodde. Here there is a small, but picturesque canon fortress from the beginning of the 19th century, a witness to times of discontent. The bloody Napoleonic wars that raged from 1807 to 1814, led to turbulent times in Europe, including in Tønsberg. Therefore in 1807 , the town’s residents decided that three canon batteries would be built at Vallø, of which Prinds Christians battery was one. Crown Prince Frederik was in league with Napoleon, and England had just declared war on Denmark-Norway. The Norwegian merchant fleet was threatened by the English war ships, and it was felt that Tønsberg and the saltworks at Vallø were also under threat. Therefore, during the winter of 1807-1808 Vallø was fortified with three canon batteries. Prinds Christians Battery was in possession of 7, 24-pound canons, and 2, 6-pound canons. The little fort could pack a punch. There was also a so called ‘cannonball glow furnace’ next to the battery, which was used to warm up the cannonballs, so that they were glowing red. If a red-hot cannonball hit the right mark, then the enemy boat could catch fire. Another cunning ammunition used was canister shot - a tin can filled with around 25 1-pound balls. When it was shot out, it created a shotgun effect.