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Appendix No. 4.
CEYLON.
Mutwal Point Battery Works. Armament (3 10-inch 18-ton
R.M.L., 2 64-prs.)
Total
•
•
£
17,820
10,755
28,575 Note.-2 64-prs. available at Co.
lombo for this work not included in estimate.
See Sketch (not printed).
Battenburgh Battery.
£
Works, say
•
Armament (1 10-inch 18-ton
gun, complete)
..
Add value of 3 9-inch 12-ton
guns, complete
Total
+1
See Sketch (not printed).
3,000
sion do not anticipate that the defences in any case will be of a large and expensive character."
Since my arrival in Ceylon in May 1878, I have had frequent opportunities of visiting the several ports in the island, and of minutely inspecting the defensive positions.
The improvements and additions to the defences at Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee, referred to in the War Office Memorandum drawn up by Colonel Nugent, C.B.R.E.,* when Deputy Director of Works, in October 1880, were carried out under my directions, and I regret that the funds placed at my disposal in 1879-80 were quite insufficient to complete the entire project then approved. Since then additional projects for the better protection of the harbour in question have been prepared and submitted to the Inspector-General of Fortifications, viz., a design for a work at Mutwal Point, Colombo, a design for a battery on Watering Point, at Galle, and a project for the more complete defence of the harbour of Trincomalee.
I think I shall now best express my opinion as to what is still required to be done for the better protection of each of the ports under consideration by making special reference to the War Office Memorandum,* which has been forwarded for the consideration of the Committee, concurring or otherwise in the several proposals therein set forth, and having due regard to the instructions and restrictions before referred to, for the guidance of the Committee to be assembled by his Excellency,
Colombo Harbour.-First, as regards Colombo Harbour, I am of opinion that the harbour which is being rapidly created by the extension of a most effective breakwater can be denied to an enemy by constructing a battery for three 10-inch 18-ton guns and two 64-pounders at Mutwal Point, to the north of the harbour, where there is a good site on private property, which no doubt may be obtained on fair terms.
An inclosed self-defensible work to carry the above-mentioned armament, and to be provided with the necessary magazine and bomb-proof accommodation, and with a defen- sible barrack for one officer and fifty men, may be constructed for the amount estimated by Colonel Nugent, viz., 17,8207.
It is satisfactory that the existing emplacements on the south side of the harbour at Battenburgh, Eukhuysen, and Guard batteries, are considered to have been substantially built, and to be capable of carrying a heavier armament.
I concur in Colonel Nugent's recommendation to substitute three 9-inch (12-ton) for the 7-inch (6 ton) guns now mounted in the Battenburgh battery, which can be done 3,585 without alteration to the emplacements; but I would enlarge this battery at its northern extremity for the reception of a 10-inch gun, to bear more directly on the entrance to the harbour.
6,585
7,386 There will be space for an emplacement for such a gun to the right of the present No. 1 gun, it being understood that the line of railway which now interferes with it will be removed.
13,971
The probable cost of the emplacement and necessary bomb-proofs and inclosure to the battery would be about 3,0007.
If the foregoing is approved, I do not think it necessary or desirable to alter or add to the armament of the other batteries on the south side of the harbour, but having in view the increasing importance of Colombo, and that on completion of the breakwater it may become a naval coaling and refitting station, and that a most suitable site for a basin and docks of large dimensions exists, I do not think that the defence of the port should be left to the land batteries, which, no matter how heavily armed, would be at a disadvantage with an enemy's vessel or squadron carrying even the same calibre of guns. I would recommend, therefore, that one or more gun-boats, carrying a 38-ton gun, should be stationed in port, with the object of engaging the enemy at some distance off the town or harbour. I believe the cost of such a gun-boat complete is 20,000l.
The provision of submarine mines is not recommended as being unsuited to the position and unnecessary, but a fast torpedo-boat would be a valuable addition to the "offensive" defence.⚫
I concur in Colonel Nugent's estimate of the garrison required for Colombo, viz. :-
Royal Artillery Infantry Mounted
Total
Men.
120
•
•
560
30
710
Old Fort.
Note. The detachment required for Mutwal Point battery to be supplied from the Colombo garrison.
Galle Harbour.-2ndly. With regard to Galle Harbour:-
Judging from the greater importance now attached to Colombo as a commercial port, and the fact that the trade is fast being diverted from Galle to Colombo, as the formation of its artificial harbour rapidly proceeds, I imagine nothing further in the way of defence- works will be undertaken at Galle, and that even its present armament and garrison will be withdrawn; but, if otherwise, and "it be fortified at all," I concur in Colonel Nugent's proposal to remodel the four seaward bastions of the Old Fort, viz. :-Star, Eolus, Klippen- 14,080 burgh, and Triton to receive 10-inch 18-ton guns, and to place a similar gun in Utrecht 17,925 bastion, but I do not consider a work on Chapel Hill is necessary if the before-mentioned
5 10-inch 18-ton R.M.L. guns.
£
Batteries Armament
••
•
Total
..
32,005
* No. 58.
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