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Appendix No. 4. 5,000/ a-year: this would diminish the sum of 40,000%. now paid by the Imperial and Colonial
Governments for the troops now here to 35,000%. MAURITIUS.
N
Twenty-three places exist on the coast at which landings can take place; even if scheme No. 4 was adopted, an enemy could land at as many as twenty.
Would it be possible, even for the proposed increased garrison of 1,690 men, costing annually 170,000l., to be racing over the country repelling the raids of an enemy? I think not. It may be urged that Her Majesty's fleet would not be idle; but it must be borne in mind that the navy could not be expected to be always looking after the Mauritius. I therefore would propose, if the Colonial Government would agree to accept the 100 troops for the keeping in order the inhabitants, the remodelling of the police force, that four gun-boats of the Alphabet class, carrying 38-ton guns, costing about 15,000 each, be placed here; total cost 60,000l. Their crews would cost (at 15 sailors per gun-boat), say, 1,000l. a-year each; total 4,000l. a-year. That the torpedo-launches should also be under a naval officer with 20 sailors as crews, yearly cost 1,000l. That the four port tugs be fitted with guns and racers, at a cost of 1,5007. That 40 sailors be placed under an officer R.Ñ., for signal stations, at a yearly cost of 2,000l. That Fort George should be remodelled, at a cost of 30,000, and armed with four 38-ton guns. That six 7-pounder rifled field-pieces be retained here, and that a garrison of 150 artillery be kept at Fort George, at a yearly cost of 12,000.
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Four gun-boats
Fitting four tugs
Remodelling Fort George..
ACTUAL OUTLAY.
ANNUAL Cost.
100 troops, Colonial Government, ? marines 150 artillery, Fort George
Crews: gun-boats
وو
torpedo-launches
Signal stations
··
•
:::::
£
60,000
1,500
61,500
20,000
81,000
£ 5,000
12,000
4,000
1,000
2,000
24,000
The actual expenditure, 81,5001., could be covered by the sale of War Department property here.
I think that by this scheme the isle would be inviolate; and not only that, but it would be of the greatest assistance to Her Majesty's navy, for the gun-boats, being not fixed capital, could be moved here and there in the neighbourhood, and we should have in these seas a very powerful point d'appui, and at a less cost than is expended now.
July 30, 1881.
(Signed)
C. G. GORDON, Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-
Colonel, Commanding Royal Engineer.
Diego Garcia, E. long. 72°, S. lat. 6o; 900 miles Galle, 1,070 miles Mauritius, 1,000 miles Seychelles. 400 inhabitants, native, 15 Europeans. Exports, 11,500 gallons oil, value 14,0002. Imports, value 4,5007.
Composed of three estates: Mini Mini, East Point, Point Marian.
Goats thrive well; manioc, maize, vegetables grow well.
By Act of Mauritius Government, 12th September, 1865, Government have certain rights secured
to it, and the isles at entrance belong to Government.
Entrance half-mile wide. (A) best place coaling station, with deep water close to shore. Pro- posed to employ the 12,0007. saved from the Mauritius in—
£
4 gun-boats
I tug
2 torpedo-boats
2 batteries on isles
Cost of gun-boats
"
29
"
tug torpedo-boats batteries
::::
::::
No. 45.
::::
4,000 per annum pay of men.
500
33
23
1,000
33
•
3,500
55
9,000 per annum (60 men).
£
::::
::::
60,000 7,000
3,000
2,500
72,500
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Sir,
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, October 4, 1881. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 19th September,* I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch from the Lieutenant-Governor of
* No. 44.
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