In 1876 the North Sea Canal was finished, linking Amsterdam with the North Sea at IJmuiden. Here two sluices were built. These were not only important for the vessels entering and leaving the canal, but also for the Position Amsterdam. If the enemy would control the sluices, it could also control the inundations. Therefore it was decided to construct a fort near IJmuiden. Its main armament consisted of an armoured battery with five 24 cm guns. Here you can see the front of the battery.