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To this should be added the cost of the lowering of Flagstaff Hill, as recommended in all the various Reports. It lies immediately outside, and commands at present the interior of Ras Morbut.
The cost of this is estimated at 2,0007.
Appendix No. 4.
ADEN.
Ras Tarshayne.
87
The work at present here mounts four 7-inch breech-loading rifled guns, and four 8-inch smooth-bore guns of 65 cwt.
It is cramped and confined, and the guns are neither of sufficient power, nor are they properly mounted.
The Committee propose that the work be entirely remodelled and made self- defensible, and that there should be mounted on it two 38-ton guns, and three 18-ton guns firing to seaward.
Sir W. Jervois proposes six heavy guns, and the War Office Memorandum four.
In this case, as at Ras Morbut, I would recommend that the number proposed by the Committee be adopted, and that five 10-4-inch breech-loading rifled guns be placed on this point, all firing to seaward from the point below Ras Morbut round to Telegraph Bay, and that two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns be mounted on the left of the work, and at a lower level, to sweep the beach and fire into Telegraph Bay.
The 64-pounder recommended by the War Office Memorandum on the right would be of little use, nor would it appear necessary to place two 80-pounder guns in the gorge of the work, as proposed by the Committee. It would be better to allow this work to be open to, and commanded by, Ras Morbut, and merely to protect the rear against surprise, for which purpose two machine guns should be provided.
The battery will therefore be for-
Five 10.4-inch breech-loading rifled guns. Two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns. Two machine guns.
Ras Tarshayne.
121 feet above sea level.
Ras Tarshayne Battery.
5 10 4-in. B.L.R. guns. 2 64-pr. M.L.R. guns. 2 Machine guns.
Cost-
Work
Armament
41
£ 28,500
24,000
Total..
52,500
Garrison-
Artillery Infantry
Men.
50
85
Total..
155
GARRISON.
To man the guns, of whom 70 men should be artillery Infantry, in addition ..
Total
The cost of the work is estimated at Armament
Total
..
::
::
Men.
::
105
50
155
£
28,500
..
24,000
52,500
Detailed drawings and estimates for the above works have been prepared, and are now in India. It would be well if application were made for copies. Contoured plans of the ground on a large scale are also in existence, so that it would be possible to modify the plans in the War Office, if found necessary to make alterations so as to adapt the works to the latest requirements.
The description of the works given in the Committee's Report of 1879 has rendered it unnecessary for me to go into any details, as it is so full as to enable the authorities at home to see clearly, even without a plan, the principles upon which these works have been designed.
Flint Island.
Guns on Flint Island have been recommended in all Reports. As laid down in p. 11, paragraph 39 of the Committees's Report, their object is:-
1. To bring with the guns at Ras Morbut a cross fire on the entrance to the harbour;
t
"2. To flank that part of the northern shore of the Peninsula on which are located the water condensers, as well as the coal and other depôts:
"3. To command the shoal water lying to the northward; and
"4. To bring an effective fire to bear on the 'Little Pass,' and on the road from that pass to Steamer Point.”
As regards the first of these conditions, it will be seen, on reference to the chart, that any fire directed from the island upon vessels approaching the harbour would be over the main part of the inner anchorage, which would probably, in event of attack, be occupied by our own vessels. In that case a cross fire with Ras Morbut could not be obtained except at extreme ranges.
But the other conditions are important, and although gun-boats would do all that is required for the defence of the upper part of the bay, still they might not be available to command the approaches by the road, either to the west or east of the Little Pass, or to protect the condensers and coal stores on the shores of the bay.
For this purpose guns of position are recommended in the War Office Memorandum at the Little Pass, but it would be better, I submit, giving up the idea of placing a work
Flint Island.
23 feet above sea level.
Hedjif.
on Flint Island, to place instead a small battery on the Hedjif, the high ground immediately 120 feet above sea level. to the south of the road at the Little Pass. The ground is about 120 feet above
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