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4. Munden's Hill, 450 feet-
Armament, 3 68-pounder smooth-bore guns.
2 13-in. mortars.
5. High Knoll, a keep containing the principal magazine.
6. James Town Lines, armed with 3 8-in, howitzers, and intended to resist a boat attack.
There are also six 12-pounder breech-loading rifled guns in store.
The Committee are informed that Ladder Hill and Lemon Valley batteries are for the moment complete, although it is intended to introduce some modification in their armaments; but that Munden's battery, which was originally intended for six guns to be mounted in casemates protected by iron shields, is in a very incomplete state; casemates have been built for only three guns, which are mounted in them, but not behind shields.
The guns that are omitted are quite as important as those that are mounted.
The Committee are informed that the Defence Committee have recommended that this battery should be completed with two 9-inch 12-ton guns, and that five 64-pounder rifled guns should be mounted on the heights above.
As there are no 12-ton guns at present available, and the erection of the necessary works for mounting them would involve great delay, the Committee recommend, as a temporary measure in the event of war, pending the erection of shields, that a double row of rope mantlets should be stretched across the casemates in which the three guns are mounted, to catch any shells or splinters which may enter them, and prevent them from being thrown back upon the men.
The garrison of St. Helena consists at present of:-
Royal Artillery
Royal Engineers
Infantry, one company
Total
0285
60
22
96
178
This garrison is altogether insufficient to occupy the works in war, and would have to be brought up to a full battery of artillery and 500 infantry to give the island security against attack.
The male population amounts to about 3,000, and it has been suggested that a force of 300 men could be raised at short notice, who, from their knowledge of the island, would form a valuable contingent to the regular forces. It was at the same time suggested that rifles should be sent out to arm them.
The Committee are of opinion that it is most desirable that every encouragement should be given, and the militia force developed to the utmost, arms being sent out for their use; in which case it might possibly not be necessary to increase the garrison to the extent suggested.
Considering the very limited inducement there is for an enemy to attack St. Helena, there being little or no trade to injure, and no productions worth taking, there being, moreover, only a limited supply of coal for the use of Her Majesty's ships, or for ships of commerce, the Committee consider that the recommendations they have made will, if adcpted, suffice to secure the island against any probable attack.
SIERRA LEONE.
Sierra Leone, being situated very nearly half way between England and the Cape of Good Hope, and possessing a safe harbour, easy of access, in which respect it is superior to St. Helena and Ascension, will become of great importance in the event of war, and the more so, as the Cape de Verde Islands belonging to a foreign Power will not then be available for the coaling of Her Majesty's ships. The harbour of Sierra Leone, more- over, has this advantage, that it extends a long way inland, so that if the entrance can be closed against ships, it will afford a port of refuge as well as a secure station for coaling at all times.
There are no defences at present, but the entrance being only 3,000 yards wide between the south shore and the middle ground shoal, the Committee are of opinion that one or two batteries, mounting together three 7-ton and three 64-pounder rifled guns, erected on a convenient site or sites to be selected on the south shore between King Tom's Point and Cape Sierra Leone, would secure the harbour and town against any attack to which they may be exposed from a light squadron.
These works will, of course, require to be protected against any force that may be
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