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144), containing correspondence relating to the defence of Cape Colony, and military measures having reference to that object.
Confining themselves to the contemplation of temporary defences calculated to resist such operations as, under the circumstances referred to above, might at the present time be apprehended, the Committee addressed themselves to the consideration of the various branches of the subject in the following order :-
1. The existing state of defence of each place or station.
2. The measures which it would be necessary to adopt.
3. The armaments required, comprising guns on shore or afloat, submarine mines, torpedos, and torpedo-boats.
4. The military force required, distinguishing between Imperial troops and local forces.
5. The assistance to be derived from naval stations, or from Her Majesty's ships. 6. Telegraphic communication.
The Confidential Memorandum of the Inspector-General of Fortifications attached to the proceedings of the meeting of the Defence Committee of the 5th June, 1877, contained specific recommendations with regard to Simon's and Table Bays at the Cape of Good Hope, and by these recommendations the Committee have been, to a great extent, guided.
At Simon's Bay there were formerly three small works named, respectively, North, Munro, and South Batteries.
32-pounder smooth-bore guns
Armament-
18
9
39
59
99
>>
""
"2
No.
4
They are now in ruins, and, as works of defence, may be regarded as non-existent. A new work near the site of the old South Battery is in course of construction, if not already completed, and will mount the guns in the Naval Reserve Stores, consisting of one 6-ton muzzle-loading rifled gun, and three 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns. The defence of this port, and of the naval coaling station, has further been, to some extent, provided for by the despatch of ten 6-ton guns, for the reception of which local works are believed to be under construction." The Committee are, therefore, of opinion that it is not now incumbent upon them to make any recommendation for further arma- ments for this station. They would, however, recommend the additional supply of a reserve of 50 rounds of ammunition for these guns, 50 rounds only per gun having as yet been sent out.
The defence of Table Bay is closely connected with that of Simon's Bay. The new mole, as well as the commercial basins and harbour of Cape Town, comprising the principal stores of coal in the Colony, are in reality unprotected. The existing works, most of which were built by the Dutch 200 years ago, are of an entirely obsolete type, and useless against modern artillery. They consist of:
1. The castle, a regular bastioned fort, situated at the east end of the town.
Armament--
18-pounder smooth-bore guns
12
"
37
"
No.
11
•
11
2. Inhoff battery, a masonry work in front of the castle.
Armament
8-inch smooth-bore guns 24-pounder
18
""
"
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>>
No.
2
·
10
10
3. Amsterdam battery, near the docks, a masonry work presenting towards the sea a stone escarp 25 feet high entirely exposed to fire.
Armament-
68-pounder smooth-bore guns
32 24
"
"
19
No.
2
4
4. Fort Knokke, a small earthwork forming the termination of the ancient Dutch lines. It is in ruins.
Armament-
68-pounder
[520]
No.
3
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