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No. 160.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir F. Maxse, K.C.M.G.
Downing Street, June 7, 1878.
(Secret.) Sir,
I REFERRED to the Colonial Defence Committee your Confidential despatch of the 2nd ultimo,* acknowledging receipt of the report of the Committee, and urging recon- sideration of the question of the defence of Heligoland, and I have now the honour to inform you that I have received a communication from the Committee to the effect that they see no reason for altering their opinion, as expressed in their report, in consequence of that despatch.
With reference to paragraph 15 of your despatch, I have to request that you will state more fully the nature of your proposals regarding the steps leading to the upper town, and I have to add that, if necessary, a Royal Engineer officer will be sent out to confer with you upon this point.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
No. 161.
Governor Janisch to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received June 7.)
(Confidential.)
Sir,
St. Helena, May 18, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to report that on the receipt of your Circular despatch marked "Secret," I conferred with Colonel Philips as to the precautions which should be taken in the event of any outbreak of war.
2. On the supposition that any attack would probably not be a serious attempt by a large force to capture the island, but that the danger to be guarded against is that of a small squadron or a single cruizer endeavouring to cut out merchant ships from the harbour, or to destroy public or private property on shore, or to levy contributions, the only part of the island exposed to an attack of this nature would be James' Town, and the harbour in front of it.
3. This part of the island is well defended by the guns mounted at Ladder Hill, Rupert's, and Munden's, which would afford protection against any small squadron or single unarmoured cruizer, and measures have been taken to ensure that the batteries shall be always ready to meet any attempt at surprise.
4. The stores of coal both of the Commissariat and of private individuals are deposited on the wharf near the landing place, but the coal yards are completely under the commanding fire of Ladder Hill and Munden's, and could not be approached so long as the garrison held possession of those strong forts.
5. An armoured cruizer might bombard the town or destroy the shipping in harbour with comparative impunity, but even in that case any attempt to land or to obtain supplies. of coal could be effectually resisted, and I need hardly say that they would not succeed in obtaining supplies by any threats of destruction to the town. If, however, the two 9-inch guns which were approved of some time since, but which have never yet been supplied, were placed as proposed at Munden's point, it would add in a material degree to the safety both of the harbour and of the whole of the lee shore from attack of any kind.
reduced
6. Colonel Philips informs me that he has called special attention to the very strength of the present garrison, and particularly to the fact, that of the battery of artillery stationed here in time of peace the half of the men were detached to the Cape of Good Hope on the outbreak of the Kaffirs, and that it is important now the battery should, at least, be brought up again to its full complement of men without delay.
7. As the services of the militia would not be essential except in anticipation of a probable attempt to capture the island, I have not felt myself warranted in enrolling them without your special instructions to incur the expense which that measure would entail.
8. On this subject I have to state that in former wars the regular garrison amounted to over 1,200 men, and in the last war, in 1854, there was a complete regiment in addition to the artillery. It has never, therefore, been necessary to embody the local forces. They * No. 68 of Miscellaneous, 35 E.
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