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Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape Colony-or more strictly speaking the Table Mountain Peninsula-was wrested by Great Britain from a foreign Power with the view of its harbours affording a basis for the cruizers of Her Majesty's fleet in protecting British trade with the East, then carried on entirely by sailing ships.
Such a basis, however, is even more needed now since the introduction of steam, on account of the necessity of providing coal for Her Majesty's ships and the means of repairing the delicate machinery upon which their motive power depends. The importance to Great Britain of the possession of the Cape will be evident by the consideration of the trade between Great Britain and South Africa, which amounts to nearly 10,000,0001. a-year, and to the value of the commercial interest involved in trade between Great Britain and the East, which to the extent of 83,000,000l. a-year (being nearly one-seventh of the total foreign trade of Great Britain) passes round the Cape, notwithstanding that trade to the further value of 68,250,000l. has a precarious passage through the Suez Canal, almost entirely in steam-ships; which, if the Canal were closed, would require to pass round the Cape and be coaled thereat.
Simon's Bay, which affords a secure anchorage at all seasons of the year, and upon the shores of which the Admiralty have an establishment, is solely used for Her Majesty's ships, and is on this account regarded by Sir Michael Hicks Beach as an Imperial station, the defence of which falls exclusively on Imperial funds. But the Committee are informed that the principal supply of coals for Her Majesty's ships is stored in Table Bay, and only sent round in small quantities as required to Simon's Bay. Moreover, although Simon's Bay can be protected by works from an attack by land, it is so close to Table Bay that if Cape Town should fall an attack upon it by land, based upon the resources of Cape Town, would be of a much more serious nature than an attack made only by a force which might have landed in its vicinity, and vice versa, although not to the same extent, Simon's Bay might be made use of as a base for the attack of Cape Town.
As stated, therefore, by the Committee, the defence of the one is closely connected with that of the other. Considering the advantage to Simon's Bay of making Table Bay secure against attack, it is reasonable that the Imperial Government should contribute in some measure towards the defence of the latter; but as Cape Town is a flourishing city of considerable commercial importance, it is only just that the principal part of its defence should fall upou the resources of the Colony.
We are therefore of opinion, having regard to the fact that the entire charge of the defence of Simon's Bay, with its garrison of 1,000 infantry and 200 artillery, will fall upon the Imperial Government, that a fair arrangement would be for the latter to take upon itself in addition the charge for the armament and submarine mines, together amounting to 16,600., and that the Colony should pay for the construction of the works, estimated at 17,6007., and should maintain them in effective repair until permanent defences are provided. Also that the Colony should be bound to keep up a sufficient local force to man the works and protect them against a landing, for which purpose, until organized, the Imperial Govern- ment should lend without charge to the Colony such officers as may be necessary to assist in their training.
In making this recommendation, the Committee think it necessary to direct attention to the necessity, as stated in their Report, under the peculiar conditions in which these two ports are related to each other, that the local and regular forces should in time of war be placed under one command, which might properly form part of the arrangement under consideration.
With regard to the cost of the gun-boat, 13,000l., which the Committee recommended should be sent to Table Bay, they have to observe that when the batteries shall have been provided a fair amount of security will be given to the city and property within it, which, however, may still be exposed to distant fire from ships beyond the range of the guns in the batteries. It was for protection against such fire, and also to aid in preventing a landing in the vicinity of Table Bay, that the Committee thought it desirable that a gun-boat should be sent. The Committee did not make any recommendation as to the manner in which the gun-boat should be manned and worked; and, pending a decision on this point, which is one that will require the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government, the power of the Colony to man and equip a vessel of war being uncertain, the Committee think it desirable that the question of the apportionment of the cost between the Imperial and Colonial Governments should be deferred.
(Signed)
ALEX. MILNE. HENRY BARKLY. J. L. A. SIMMONS.
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