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Appendix No. 4.
CEYLON.
See Sketch (not printed).
Ostenburgh Point.
2 10-inch R.M.L. 18-ton guns,
in casemated shielded bat- tery..
Armament
Total
See Sketch (not printed).
Great Sober Island. Sea-face battery, en barbette,
4 10-inch 18-ton guns Armament
Total
*
See Sketch (not printed).
North-East Head Battery.
£
15,474 7,517
22,991
£
172
Ostenburgh, which I will hereafter state, because I think the position of Great Sober Island a most important one, on which works may be constructed, both for the defence of the outer and inner harbour, and the protection of the dockyard.
The island is naturally strong, cannot be taken in reverse, is easily accessible from Fort Frederick and the dockyard, has ample space for barracks, stores, and magazine accom- modation, out of all possible range of an enemy.
The proposed works will form a most effective barrier to ships approaching from the only direction in which they would be dangerous to the dockyard.
The guns on the sea-face will also cover the proposed submarine mines. The battery for the defence of the inner harbour will thoroughly cover the whole of Ostenburgh Ridge with fire, and render it untenable in the event of its falling temporarily into the hands of an enemy, while the dockyard would be safe under such circumstances even if Fort Frederick had fallen.
The details of the project are as follows, viz.: I would dismantle Fort Ostenburgh, as it is unsafe, uselessly small, not being capable of holding a sufficient garrison to defend itself, and productive of danger in the hands of an enemy; the old fort, such as it is, was not well or substantially built, and would not, in its present condition, withstand heavy ordnance fire; the barracks and magazine are much exposed to fire.
The "ridge" is liable to be taken by assault, and the armament, as it now is, turned against the fort itself.
It is true that if it be considered of vital importance to occupy the position a greater extent of the Ostenburgh ridge may be inclosed by cutting a ditch across the peninsula,* say from Puget's Wharf to Nicholson's Cove, placing some guns in position within the inclosure to bear on the approaches from the land side, &c., but I would not suggest such a project unless the proposal to occupy Great Sober Island be not entertained, when it would then be the only resource left for the defence of the harbour by a limited force.
If Trincomalee is considered important and worth defending, I think that it would be a great mistake to adopt half-measures--better withdraw from the station altogether if the Imperial interests are not of sufficient weight to warrant the provision of a respectable armament and sufficient garrison.
I believe it is generally understood that the occupation of Trincomalee is considered unimportant from a Colonial point of view, and that even if it fell into the hands of an enemy, the safety of the Colony would not thereby be endangered.
In proposing to dismantle Fort Ostenburgh, I refer to the upper works in fort, and on the ridge, and at Belfry Hill, and also Half Moon Battery, before referred to.
I, however, highly approve of the proposal to construct a battery with shields and bomb- proof cover for two 10-inch rifle muzzle-loading guns on the low point of the Ostenburgh peninsula, to afford a most efficient direct fire on the entrance to the harbour, and assist in covering the submarine mines, while, from the nature and position of the battery, it could not be turned on to any other work forming a part of the proposed defences.
A few men could, in comparative safety, work such a battery.
Now, with regard to the main position on Great Sober Island.
The sea-face offers an admirable site for heavy guns to resist any attack from a cruizer 13,452 or small squadron approaching from the south-west to shell the dockyard, or endeavour to 15,034 force an entry into the harbour.
28,486 I would here construct emplacements for four 10-inch 18-ton rifle muzzle-loading guns,
with the necessary bomb-proofs, &c.
4 7-inch 62-ton guns, en barbette.
Works..
Armament from Fort Osten-
burgh
£
I would place a battery on North-East Head for four 7-inch rifle muzzle-loading 4,800
61-ton guns for inner harbour defence, and to command the approaches from Fort Frederick Nil. to Fort Ostenburgh.
į
4
Total
4,800
French Pass.
Obstruction
•
1,50)
Minden Point.
Works..
2 64-prs., en barbette.
Armament from Belfry Hill..
Total
£
2,000
Nil.
2,000
It is proposed to obstruct the French Pass, and, therefore, a battery on Minden Point may not be necessary, but such a work is shown on sketch,† and may be found a useful accessory to the defence at small cost.
Gravel Hill.
••
•
£ 5,000*
Enclosed work, say 3 batteries (2 20-prs. each).. 3,000 Armament
1,800
9,800
of
* Estimate includes the provision stores, tank, levelling site, forming roads, landing-stage, clearing brushwood, &c.
"
The whole of these works would be under fire from the centre of the island, where are
keep admirable positions for a
or citadel of small perimeter, and slight profile presents itself on Gravel Hill, and in which some light guns, say, six 20-pr. rifle breech-loaders, might be mounted and arranged in pairs to see into and search thoroughly the works before referred to and defend the approaches to Gravel Hill, where also Gattling or Nordenfeldt guns might be stored with advantage.
* See separate Memorandum attached (Inclosure 5).
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+ Not printed.
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