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Third Report, p. 165.
Third Report, p. 165. Evidence. Q. 5585.
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Q. 5640-5643. Q. 5632-5639.
Q. 2124-2127.
Third Report, pp. 166, 167.
Works Armaments.. Naval defences
Third Report, p. 589.
Evidence. Q. 5617.
Third Report, p. 182. Ditto, pp. 162, 163, 167.
Third Report, p. 167.
Third Report, p. 166.
འ
£
20,820
have been kept up and slightly modified from time to time; and were, as recently as 1878, adapted for the reception of 7-inch guns on the recom- mendation of the Colonial Defence Committee.
38. We concur with the local Committee which reported upon the defences of the island in recommending that the guns should be removed and the defences dismantled. On the outbreak of war, it will be necessary, as pointed out by the Committee, to remove from Galle any stock of coal that may be there at the time.
Colombo.
39. Colombo, the commercial capital and principal coaling-station, is on the south-west side of the island, and 68 miles distant from Galle. A commodious harbour has for some years past been in course of con- struction, and is now so far advanced that ships of the largest class find perfect shelter under the protection of the breakwater during the south-west monsoon. Colombo is the only place in the island where any repairs to machinery can be effected, and docks will probably be made before long. Therefore, for local reasons, apart from Imperial considerations, Colombo should possess sufficient means of defence, which must consist partly of floating defences, as neither the town nor harbour can be rendered secure by land batteries alone against long-range fire from ships in the offing.
40. In 1878, on the recommendation of the Colonial Defence Committee, the fortifications erected by the Dutch were partially reconstructed, and five 7-inch guns mounted; but these, which were the only guns available at the time, are altogether inadequate. We consider that the recommendations of the local Committee, which agree substantially with those of the War 18,840 Office, should be carried into effect. The total cost, including two gun-boats 55,600 and two first-class torpedo-boats, with twelve Whitehead torpedoes, is
estimated at 95,2601. 95,260 41. It will be seen, from a Memorandum supplied to us by Sir John Coode, that it has been proposed to widen the foundations of the end of the breakwater, at an estimated cost of 25,000l., in order to admit of the erection of a fort. We have been unable to examine the data upon which this estimate is framed, but we think that the suggestion deserves consideration. We are informed that rapid progress is being made with the breakwater ; if, therefore, the suggestion is to be entertained, no time should be lost in coming to a decision.
42. The garrison required by the War Office and the Committee is 710 of all arms, and part of this force could be provided locally. Valuable experience has been gained during the last year by the formation of a volunteer corps, stimulated by the temporary withdrawal of the 102nd Regiment for service at the Cape. The strength of the corps in October 1881 exceeded 1,000 men, of whom, however, but a small proportion were Europeans. Although it is too early yet to speak with confidence of the permanency of this movement, the local Committee deemed it probable that an effective strength of from 400 to 500 men, which could be increased in case of war, might be relied upon; but they added that this force would only be available for Colombo, and not for Galle or Trincomalee. The local police force numbers over 1,500 men, and is largely composed of Malays, who make efficient soldiers when well commanded. In the opinion of the Committee, there would be no difficulty in drafting 250 or 300 Malays in an emergency from the police to serve as auxiliaries, who would be of value in saving European troops from exposure in the tropical climate of Ceylon.
Trincomalee.
43. Trincomalee, on the north-eastern side of the island, about 270 miles from Point de Galle, is the safest and most commodious harbour in these seas, and very capable of defence. It is a large land-locked bay, containing 1,800 acres of deep water, and the principal entrance-between Fort Ostenberg and Little Sober Island-is only 500 yards wide. The splendid harbour first attracted the attention of the Dutch, and ever since the British occupation of Ceylon in 1796 has been used by the Royal Navy. The naval establishment is, however, small, and contains neither docks nor
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