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Appendix No. 4.
DIEGO GARCIA.
184
3. In answer to the first question, I have to state that I quite concur in Major Barton's Report (which is inclosed), in seeing the difficulties there are in fortifying an island perfectly flat, the highest point of which is about 3 or 4 feet above the sea level, consequently placing any defences at great disadvantages.
4. The harbour of Diego Garcia forms a splendid anchorage all over the bay. The one selected during this ship's stay, marked on the chart, is well protected, with good holding ground and plenty of water, but, I consider, at too great a distance from the entrance of the bay for mail-steamers, when time is so much an object. It was therefore considered that the place marked on the chart as "Eclipse Bay" is the most suitable site for establishing a coal depôt on shore, it having a good anchorage, well pro- tected from the north-west wind, which blows strong from that quarter, we were informed, during the months of January, February, and March. It is likewise easy of access for sailing-ships. It would be necessary to run out a small pier, about 120 yards, for coal lighters; this could be done with little difficulty.
5. This bay, which we have selected as the most suitable site for a coal depôt, Major Barton proposes to defend with two small batteries, one on either side, mounting each two 6-ton guus, one battery mounting one gun in rear. It is to be observed that, on account of the peculiar formation of the outside shores of this island, which may be described as a wall of coral, it renders it almost impos- sible for boats to land there, even in the calmest weather, with any degree of safety, there being one continuous line of breakers.
6. The suitability of this island as a refitting naval station requires more serious considera- tion, on account of the difficulty and expense there would be in fortifying it, by reason of its peculiar formation.
But inside East Point appears the most desirable place, it not being necessary, as was the case for coaling mail-steamers, to consider the distance from the entrance of the bay. If the approach to this anchorage were properly buoyed, it is easy of access, well protected from all winds, with plenty of water close to the shore. This anchorage Major Barton would propose to defend by a casemate battery, mounting about eight heavy guns.
7. The verification of the soundings shown in our charts of entrance of the lagoon and anchorage was carefully conducted by Lieutenant James Cuddy (N.), of this ship. This island can be seen about 10 miles off, for, although the shore is no more than a few feet above the sea level, the trees with which it is thickly covered attain in several places a height of over 100 feet. In making the island from the.cast, the small islets at the entrance will be seen about 3 miles off, and can be approached on the northern side with safety to within 2 cables. The north-east entrance cannot be recommended, the soundings having apparently decreased about 1 fathoms since the last survey (by Commander R. Moresby, I.N., 1837), and a vessel cannot carry more than 21 feet at low water. There are also umerous coral patches, with 1, 2, and 3 fathoms, interspersed for nearly 1 mile. There is deep water between Middle and East Islands, but as the channel joins the north-east one, inside Barton Point, it is no better. A long reef runs out from Middle Island for half-a-mile to West Island, but leaves a clear channel of 12 cables, through which a vessel may carry 5 fathoms, with Marianne Point (which may be easily recognized by a solitary palm tree at the extreme point, and a white house with a red roof a little inside it) bearing S.S.E. When inside West Island and clear of the shoal water between the latter island and Eclipse Point, a vessel wishing to anchor in "Eclipse Bay" may haul in to S.S.W., and anchor in 8 to 12 fathoms (soft clay, or finely ground coral). This bay has the advantage of being only 1 mile from the entrance, and is protected from any heavy sea during the north-west monsoon by the reef which joins West Island and Eclipse Point, and from the south-east trade by the eastern portion of the main island.
8. With the assistance of a temporary light on the east end of West Island a vessel might leave the anchorage and put to sea during the night. A buoy ought to be placed on the rock, which is 3 cables from the shore, S. W., 1 mile from West Island. Another buoy in 4 fathoms, to mark the eastern edge of the bank which extends between West Island and Eclipse Point, although the edge is clearly defined when the sun is high.
9. The soundings in the remaining portions of the harbour, as far as line drawn between Marianne Point and Minni-Mini estate, appear generally the same as marked in the chart.
10. This ship passed to the eastward of West Island, 3 cables off, steering towards Marianne Point about S.S.E., with Minni-Mini estate S.E. by E., which bearing leads up clear of all the shoals to where the ship anchored in 11 fathoms (clay), 5 cables from the shore.
11. There are three estates on the island of Diego Garcia, viz., Point Marianne, East Point, Minni-Mini.
Point Marianne, owners, Leoreux and Co., Mauritius :-
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Men Women Children
•
..
•
**
Total
M
Annual exportation of oil, 53,833 gallons.
East Point, owner, Mr. Lienard; extends 13 miles; Mauritius :-
Men Women Children.
"
:::
Total
Annual exportation of oil, 72,833 gallons.
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9"
:::
::::
..
104 36 37
•
177
::::
101 35
27
163
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