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Eastern Empire, or necessitating the employment of a special squadron to blockade and neutralize it. It appears, therefore, that the object of holding Perim may be either—
1. To prevent its occupation by a possible enemy; or,
2. To afford a safe harbour of refuge, under cover of the guns of which British vessels might retire in the event of being attacked or menaced by a superior force.
It is assumed that it is only necessary to guard against the hurried attack of a small squadron which might have temporarily eluded the vigilance of the British fleet.
The presence of any large hostile fleet would imply the loss-temporary, at all events ---of British supremacy at sea, and with it the power of keeping open the Suez Canal and Red Sea route. In such case the actual possession of Perim, for the time being, would not influence the progress of the war, and its eventual ownership would probably depend on the issue of the struggle.
The objects of holding the island above mentioned being dissimilar, two schemes of defence are advanced for consideration.
The first and principal object may be secured at comparatively small expense, the secondary object can only be attained by more extensive, and, consequently, more costly measures of defence.
Appendix No. 4.
Works Armament
PERIM.
Flagstaff Battery.
1. To prevent its occupation by an enemy, a small fort, to mount about six 6-inch rifled breech-loading guns, constructed with deep well-flanked ditches, and provided with barrack accommodation, stores, magazines, and ample water-tanks, should be erected on the flag-staff hill. The work should be so designed that its principal fire might be brought to bear on any ships in the harbour. In the face of such a work no enemy could attempt to 6 6-in B.L.R.
Constructed on the make use of the harbour, although he would be free to enter it. latest principles, with thick parapets of earth, well traversed, liberally supplied with bomb- any bom- proofs, and with its guns well protected, it could afford to remain silent under bardment to which it could be subjected from the sea, while its position on land and its strength, would secure it against capture by sudden assault. A regular siege would require an amount of leisure and deliberation not contemplated under the conditions above stated.
The garrison of this work may be estimated at 120 men, of whom 50 should be artillery.
The question of cost is one of some difficulty, as there are no records in this Office of the cost of materials or price of labour at Perim; but, assuming that they do not much exceed the average rates obtaining at foreign stations, it may be set down at 26,800%., which includes the barracks, stores, &c.
96
£
**
..
26,800
4,200
Lee Point Battery,
2. To secure the harbour as a coaling and provision depôt, the enemy must be kept at a distance, and denied entrance to the harbour altogether. This object may be attained by the erection of a work, at a height of about 1,000 feet, on the headland above 6 104-in. B.L.R. Lee Point, on the east side of the harbour entrance, for four 10·4-inch rifled breech-loading guns, mounted en barbette, and firing to seaward, and two 10-4-inch rifled breech-loaders, Works behind iron shields, to fire into the harbour.
Two medium guns should be provided to command the submarine mining field, which would extend across the entrance to the harbour, and two to sweep the ridge by which the work is approached.
4 64-prs.
Armament
•
This work, aided by submarine mines and two torpedo-boats, would secure the harbour Submarine mines- from capture by sea.
Stores Boats
Storehouses
Torpedo-boats, 9,0007. Defensible post, 5,0007.
An attack from the landward side is improbable, but it should be guarded against. The hill on which the present defensible barrack stands should be occupied by a strong post, provided with emplacements for three guns of position, say 40-pounder rifled breech- loaders, and the barrack itself (if necessary) protected and strengthened to form a keep. For the rest of the island, roads should be improved or constructed, and emplacements Roads, 1,000l. prepared in suitable positions for one or two field-pieces.
With respect to the garrison, 140 men would be required for Lee Point Fort, of whom 60 should be artillery.
For the post and field emplacements 80 men would be necessary, of whom 30 should
be artillery.
For the submarine mines 30 sappers would be required.
Barracks for 50 men already exist, and 80 men would be accommodated in Barracks, 12,0001. Lee Point Fort. Accommodation for 120 men would, therefore, still remain to be constructed.
The garrisons above enumerated are the least which would be required for the proper defence of the works; but as no unprofitable mouth should be maintained on the island, it is for consideration whether the whole male population, all of them Government employés, should not be trained to the use of arms.
..
£ 50,425 29,300
£
3,400
4,300
2,500
10,200
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