Page 128
Page 128
143
the honour most respectfully to request that you will be pleased to move the War Office to supply this Government with a complete set of the confidential publications issued from the War Office with respect to torpedoes, including Colonel Stotherd's "Text-book," the Admiralty Torpedo Committee's "Report," and the "Report on the Oberon Experiments,' and also with any future publications on the subject as issued.
وو
4. I am satisfied that it is unnecessary to assure you that if this application is granted the publications will be treated as confidential, and used only by the officers intrusted with the charge of the torpedo defences.
I have, &c. (Signed) S. J. WAY.
No. 256.
Governor Sir H. Bulwer, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Burt.- (Registered July 27.)
Government House, Maritzburg, Natal,
June 22, 1878.
(Secret.) Sir,
THE subject of your despatch, marked Secret, of the 20th March last,* has been under the consideration of this Government, and I have herewith the honour to inclose, for your information, copy of a Report by Colonel Pearson, the officer commanding the troops in Natal, and Captain Hime, R.E., the Colonial Engineer, to whom, as a Sub-Committee of the Executive Council, the subject was referred, together with an extract from the Minutes of Council.
2. It will be seen from the Report that the only place on the Natal coast which, it is considered, is exposed to risk from, and needs defence against, foreign cruizers, is Port Natal, comprising the roadstead and the inner harbour, and the town of Durban. Owing to the bar, it is highly improbable that any cruizer could enter the inner harbour, or that any boats belonging to a cruizer could pass the bar, or, on account of the surf, effect a landing anywhere else on the beach; and, certainly, any ordinary attempt to land in this way could be easily and successfully resisted. But the town itself, together with the shipping in the inner harbour, might be exposed to injury from the fire of a cruizer which, lying at the outer anchorage, would still be within sufficient range to shell, over the beach, into the town, or some portion of it, and into the inner harbour. The shipping, also, lying at the outer anchorage, would be liable to be taken or destroyed by a cruizer.
3. The Report of the Committee recommends, accordingly, for the protection of the town and shipping, that a heavy battery should be erected on the bluff, and another on the sand-hills above the beach, with two 18-ton guns at each battery. The Executive Council, by whom this recommendation has been considered, is of opinion that two 9-ton guns will be sufficient.
4. The other recommendations made by the Committee are such as might be carried out at any time, should the occasions of war make it advisable.
(Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 256.
I have, &c.
HENRY BULWER.
Report of a Sub-Committee of the Executive Council on the Secretary of State's Secret Despatch relative to the Defence of the Colony.
Sub-Committee:
The Honourable the Commandant.
دو
39
the Colonial Engineer.
THE only places on the Natal coast, the defence of which against foreign cruizers. need be considered, are the harbour and roadstead of Port Natal and the town of Durban. On no other part of the coast is there any town situated, nor are there any inducements for an enemy to attempt a landing, which without the aid of surf boats would be attended with great danger.
2. It is highly improbable that any attempt would be made to effect a landing at the port owing to the necessity for having proper boats for crossing the bar or for landing
* No. 15.
Page 128
Page 128
Page 128