into German hands. On 23 June, the castle was ordered to man its guns and to be prepared to fire on the French navy to prevent their departure; one gun, albeit not ready for action, was levelled at the fleet and the French destroyer Léopard responded by aiming its guns at the castle, but no shooting ensued. On 3 July, under Operation Grasp, British forces boarded and seized the ships, ending the confrontation. Southsea Castle was obsolete in the post-war years and in 1960 it was sold to Portsmouth City Council for £35,000. The council carried out restoration work and archaeological surveys, removing many of the later, post-1850 features and landscaping the surrounding area; in 1967 it was opened as a museum, although the lighthouse remained in operation. The west and east batteries were partially demolished by the council in the 1960s. In the 21st century the castle is still operated as a tourist attraction by the council and received over 90,000 visitors from 2011–12. The castle houses a collection of cannon. Two of these, a 68-pounder (30.8 kg) and an RML 9-inch 12 ton (22.8 cm 12,192 kg) gun, are located in the grounds, and within the castle itself is a 24-pounder (10.8 kg) from HMS Royal George, an RML 9-pounder 8 cwt (4 kg 406 kg) and two hexagonally rifled Witworth 3-pounder (1.3 kg) breech-loaders dating from 1876. The castle is protected under UK law as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. See also Fortifications of Portsmouth Notes References Bibliography External links Victorian Forts datasheet on East Battery Victorian Forts datasheet on West Battery Castles in Hampshire Forts in Hampshire Forts in Portsmouth Device Forts Museums in Portsmouth History museums in Hampshire Military and war museums in England 1544 establishments in England