The construction of the fort was begun in 1861 and the fort was declared complete in 1868 at a cost of £104,557. The report of the 1869 Defence Committee concluded that Fort Farham was '...skilfully constructed as regards stability and permanency and when completed according to the approved plans will be suited to the requirements of modern armaments, and when its ditch was filled with water would afford a fair amount of resistance to any attack to which it may be exposed.'