131
Page 159
82
over twenty spots that gun-boats could command, and Fort George and torpedoes would protect the Appendix No. 4. town and port.
MAURITIUS.
I therefore fully concur in the general idea of the defence, and I would also add that Mauritius has many dependencies, such as Rodrigues, Seychelles, Oil Islands, &c., which it is necessary to maintain regular communication with both for political and judicial causes, and the gun-boat sailors in time of peace could find ample sea employment in the vessels necessary to keep up these communica tions, and for which the Government are now constantly asking Royal Naval assistance. The Governor, Sir George Bowen, says Mauritius, for its size, is the richest place in the world, and it ought, therefore, to be able to pay a large portion of the expenses incurred for its own defence, and the plan now proposed is effective and economical.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. GORE JONES.
No. 48.
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, November 21, 1881. Sir,
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 letter from the War Office respecting the defence of Mauritius; and I am to call attention to the wish expressed by Mr. Childers that the Royal Commission should report upon that island as soon as they conveniently can.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 48.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, November 15, 1881.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th September, 1881, forwarding a copy of a despatch, with inclosures, from the Lieutenant-Governor of Mauritius, reporting upon the measures necessary for the defence of that Colony.
The Secretary of State presumes that the Earl of Kimberley will transmit this Report and its inclosures, together with the Appendix, Military Section, thereto-copy of which was received with your letter of the 4th ultimo-for the consideration of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad; and he desires me to express his hope that, looking to the questions raised by the Lieutenant-Governor and the local Committee, Lord Kimberley will move the Royal Commissioners to report upon Mauritius as soon as they conveniently can.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. G. DEEDES.
}
}
[
No. 49.
War Office Memorandum on the Defence of Mauritius.
MAURITIUS is an island of considerable size in the Indian Ocean; it lies in the direct route from the Cape of Good Hope to Ceylon, and is about equidistant from both places.
It lies just within the tropic of Capricorn, in the track of the south-east trade-wind, and is girt on its windward side by a broad reef of coral, through which there are numerous passages, which are, however, with one or two exceptions, practicable only for small vessels. The passages in the reef occur usually opposite to the mouths of rivers.
The leeward side of the island is comparatively free from reef, and is accessible for large vessels at Port Louis, the capital, and for vessels of some size at Tombeau, and Grande Rivière Bays immediately above and below it.
In the interior of the island the land rises abruptly to a plateau of considerable elevation, the peaks projecting up from which attain heights of 2,700 feet; the highlands are covered in places with thick woods, and are difficult for the passage of troops, offering many strong positions for defence.
The roads are excellent and numerous, and partial supplies may be drawn from the plains near the coast.
Mauritius has lost much of its importance since the opening of the Suez Canal, and in 1869 its business had so much declined that one dock establishment was found sufficient to do the work of the four establishments at that time in Port Louis; nevertheless the imports and exports still maintain high figures, and the latter exceed considerably the former.
Any great European war which should close the Suez Canal to Great Britain would transfer the Indian and the Eastern trade to the Cape of Good Hope route, and the Mauritius would again become a most important post on our military and commercial communications in these waters.
Page 159
*No. 44.
Page 159
Page 159
Page 159