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No. 76.
Colonel Crossman, R.E., to the Inspector-General of Fortifications concerning the Defence
(No. 53. Confidential.) Sir,
of Singapore.
Singapore, November 24, 1881.
I HAVE the honour to report that I arrived here from Hong Kong on the 30th October, and have considered the question of the defence of Singapore.
The Memorandum of Major-General Sir William Jervois, dated 31st August, 1876, a copy of which is inclosed,* sets forth so fully the importance of Singapore as a strategical position, and as an emporium of commerce, and gives so accurate a description of the topographical features of the place, that no introductory remarks from me concerning these subjects are required. The statistics connected with the Settlement need only be altered to adopt the Memorandum for 1880 instead of 1874.
They are as follows:-
Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
Square rigged vessels (entered at the port)
Tonnage
Of which were-
British vessels
Tonnage
And of these were-
Steamers
Tonnage.
Imports Exports
::
•
1874.
1880.
::
1,773 1,104,277
2,109 1,601,421
1,027 642,749
1,374 1,011,664
•
994 843,265
£ 10,000,000 9,000,000
1,753 1,427,052
£
11,376,700
10,233,560
But as Singapore is a free port, and no Customs duties are levied, the return of imports and exports cannot be depended upon as correct; they are probably much larger than above stated.
Population-
1871 1881
::
"
110,000 139,208
Since the Memorandum referred to was written the naval coaling station at Pulo Brani has been given up, and a submarine mining establishment has been placed on that island in the position formerly occupied by the French coal stores.
I have also had before me the Reports of Captain McCallum, R.E., and of the Colonial Defence Committee, together with the various Memoranda prepared by individual members of that Committee.†
These Reports have gone fully and exhaustively into the question of the defences of the place.
Generally speaking, I agree with the recommendations of the Committee; the points on which there is any difference of opinion will be noted in the following remarks.
The defences of Singapore must be considered under two heads:
1st. The defence of the new harbour, in which are contained the docks and coaling wharves; these in time of war would provide for the refitting of the smaller classes of Her Majesty's ships, and for the coaling of ships of war and the large mercantile steam marine passing through the place.
This defence would also include the portion of the town south of the Singapore river, in which the principal mercantile establishments are situated.
2nd. The protection of the roadstead (Singapore roads) and the portion of the town and suburbs north of the Singapore river.
For the actual requirements of Her Majesty's fleet, and for the security of the mercantile marine, it would, no doubt, only be necessary to provide for the defences com- prised under the first of these heads, viz., those required to protect the new harbour.
These would also ensure the safety of any ships lying in the "roads," as in the event of anticipated attack they could take refuge inside.
I have inspected the batteries already constructed, and the other positions proposed for these defences.
The sites are well chosen, and the works, considering the amount of money at the disposal of the executive officers, on the whole well constructed, and although they will have to a considerable extent to be remodelled in order to adapt them for heavier armaments, they will not require that almost total reconstruction which it has been found necessary to propose in batteries thrown up under similar circumstances else- where.
Division of Defences.
Sea defences (Military) New harbour.
* Inclosure 1 in No. 76.
+ See Inclosures in No. 74.
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