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Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
Distribution of guns.
Battery Blakang Mati East. Armament.
after the model of that battery, but with dry instead of wet ditch, defended by sunken caponiers. It should be made strong and self-defensible, with all the necessary fortificational adjuncts and acces- sories. The 7-inch guns are better adapted for this position than for the retired one of Tanjong Katong. 75. In front of the site is a cliff about 60 feet high. The guns should be distributed with one 7-inch on the right (with the left lateral training directed on Terumbo Seleger); two 7-inch guns on the left (with right lateral training directed on the 7-fathom patch); and the 9-inch gun in the centre with its chord of extreme fire parallel to the south side of Blakang Mati, thus sweeping the whole horizon seaward.
76. The modification which the Blakang Mati East Battery should undergo is one of development more than of alteration, excepting as regards the armament. In this particular it is proposed to substitute 9-inch guns for the 7-inch guns, in accordance with the requirements stated at p. 248, and to add another 64-pounder from Mount Palmer. The raised platforms, 4 feet high, now provided for the Alteration of emplace- naval guns, would have to be removed, as well as the 2 ft. 6 in. of earthen parapet through which the guns now fire in shallow embrasures. This will leave the 6 ft. 6 in. concrete core, and, by adding another 6 inches of concrete and slightly modifying the plan of the emplacements, the guns will be able to fire en barbette, over a 7-feet parapet, through an angle of 120 degrees.
ment.
Provision of masonry escarp with chemin des rondes.
Extension of right flank.
Rectification of left flank.
Gorge wall.
Additional 64-pounder emplacement.
Main magazine, &c.
Barracks.
Obstructions.
Mount Serapong Redoubt.
Mortar fire.
Mount Palmer Battery.
Torpedoes, &c.
77. To prevent the work being taken by a rush, and, at the same time, to thoroughly command the slopes with musketry fire, I would propose that a masonry escarp wall be built from the present bottom of the ditch, and be provided with a chemin des rondes, from which a full view of the slope could be obtained. The cutting down of the present parapet referred to above would supply earth for the backing of this wall, and an opportunity will also be afforded to modify the exterior slopes of the work, which experience has shown, if very long, do not well stand the heavy rains of Singapore. The covering screen of bamboos could be transplanted to the foot of the exterior slope on the reverse of the tread of the chemin des rondes. The wall should be traced independently of the parapets, so that a proper flanking fire can be brought to bear throughout with no dead angle in the ditch.
It should run for about another 120 feet, in continuation of the present right flank, to where the spur meets the valley falling to the mangrove swamp behind.
78. On the left flank, the present long musketry parapet should be done away with, and the work made defensible by the fire from the chemin des rondes, falling at a uniform gradient from the 64-pounder emplacement to the entrance at the gorge. This entails the construction of a high escarp wall at the left rear corner, which is rendered necessary by the formation of the northern limb of the hill. This should be levelled off for some feet to defilade the battery, and present a glacis-like front before the left flank. A portion may remain unexcavated, however, and on it may be constructed a small closed outwork with good command to sweep the steep valley separating the hill from the Serapong ridge with musketry fire. By the arrangements just proposed, the defence of the work will be much more self-contained than by the existing covered way and shooting parapets.
79. The new gorge, from the termination of the right flank escarp to the left gorge chemin des rondes, being unexposed to artillery fire, may be closed by a loopholed wall of suitable trace preceded by a good ditch.
80. In the right flank parapet extension should be constructed an emplacement for the additional 6-4-pounder. This gun should be upon "D" racers (as at Mount Palmer, from which it comes). It will co-operate with the present right 64-pounder in sweeping the bay to the south-referred to in my Report on this battery-and in supporting battery Blakang Mati South, and it will also bring a fire to bear over the island itself.
81. The existing gorge parapet need not be disturbed, as it will act as a parados, covering on one side the gun emplacements, and, on the other, a main magazine, laboratory and stores, which may be conveniently constructed in the additional space inclosed. Thus as recommended for Mount Siloso- the present ammunition stores may be strengthened and converted into excellent expense magazines and bomb-proofs. A well may be sunk in the terreplein, where also may be constructed the temporary war barracks for the garrison. A peace barrack may be built on the northern glacis clear of the line of fire between the main parapet and the outwork.
82. In time of war, the whole front of this and the other works should be well covered with deep mangrove abatis, cut in the swamps in their neighbourhood.
83. The redoubt for twenty-five men on Mount Serapong should be made unassailable with strong well-flanked escarps and commanding parapets.
84. On the terreplein could be mounted the two 13-inch mortars, now lying useless on Mount Faber, and they could be served by the garrison in connection with the three mortars at Mount Palmer Battery. These mortars are in addition to the armament shown in Table I, and, by their vertical fire, will aid materially in the defence.
85. The Mount Palmer Battery requires very little modification.
The 7-inch gun portions may remain as they are, but the 64-pounders emplacements should be adapted to receive 9-inch guns on ። D" racers. In the retired position of Mount Palmer, the 64-pounders are not very useful, whereas the 9-inch guns are required to meet the conditions expressed at p. 247. With the proposed armament, a good escarp wall, and a more powerful caponier than that which has been built, Mount Palmer Battery will present a very strong compact appearance. A guard-room, drawbridge, water tank, and laboratory should be provided.
86. At the western entrance, an advance mining field may be laid out, well under the fire of batteries Passir Panjang and Mount Siloso, in each of which batteries a good electric light should be provided. The entrance itself may be closed in time of war with a double boom, with movable bays over the observation mines, for the passage of friendly vessels.
87. At the eastern entrance, submarine mines may be laid with advantage along the 6-fathom line between the outer shoal and the reefs on the south-west, whilst the Buran Darat Channel should likewise be obstructed at the south entrance, where the field will come under the fire of two 64-pounders at Blakang Mati East Battery, and two 7-inch guns at Blakang Mati South Battery.
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