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much open to attack from the United States as Bermuda, and it may perhaps be more open to attack from France, and even from Spain, if the two combine, as France has considerable naval resources in the West Indian Islands, and Spain has large resources in Cuba, 900 and 200 miles distant respectively from Jamaica.
Bermuda has guns of 38 tons weight, but Bermuda is exceptional; her central position, with reference to the North American and West Indian Station, her excellent yard, and her natural facilities for defence, render her militarily of great importance, though commercially she is of no significance, as she has but a small population, and does not produce sufficient for even their wants.
But though Jamaica cannot compare with Bermuda in respect of military importance, it has a considerable commercial importance of its own in virtue of its position among West Indian Islands; and with reference to the commerce passing across the Isthmus of Panamá, which importance will be very greatly enhanced in the event, which is not very improbable, of the construction of an interoceanic canal in Central America; and though it may not be necessary to arm it with such heavy guns as have been provided for Bermuda, it should still be able to cope with vessels armoured, and armed more heavily than ordinary sea-going iron-clads; and a 10-4-inch breech-loading rifled gun of 26 tons would be a suitable and efficient gun for the purpose.
The temporary works constructed in accordance with the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee are in the proper positions for the defence of the harbour and naval establishments, and have been well constructed, but their armaments are far too light.
The positions are—
Port Royal Point Battery, where emplacements for three 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns, and two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns have been constructed.
Port Royal Lines, where emplacements for two 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns have been constructed.
Apostles Battery, where emplacements for two 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns, and two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns have been partially constructed.
Rocky Point, where emplacements for three 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns and two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns have been completed.
These batteries, though of a light character, are a great advance upon the previous armament, which consisted of forty-four smooth-bore guns of small calibres, mounted in works of very insignificant profile.
Following what has been said above, five 10'4-inch guns should be placed in the battery at Port Royal Point; and, as the site is low, three of them should be protected by shields, with two lighter guns on the flanks.
The two 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns might be retained in Prince of Wales' and Hanover Lines.
Apostles Battery should also be armed with two 10-4-inch breech-loading rifled guns, the present emplacements being altered to receive them; this battery should be inclosed, and the height above occupied by an infantry post, disposed to receive two guns of position. Two medium guns should also be placed in the battery.
Rocky Point. The battery here might well be remodelled to receive two heavy guns. It has a bearing upon the eastern channel, and serves to throw an attacking force farther to the southward. One medium gun should be retained on its left flank to sweep the beach towards Plum Point, and one on its right to flank the line of submarine mines between Palisades and Gun Cay.
Appendix No. 4.
JAMAICA.
Port Royal Point Battery.
guns, shielded.
3 10'4-in. B.L.R.
2 10-4-in. B.L.R. guns, en barbette.
2 64-pr. M.L.R. guns.
Prince of Wales' and Hanover Lines.
2 7-in. M.L.R. guns.
Batteries Armament
£
21,620 23,500
Apostles Battery.
2 10-4-in. B.L.R. guns. 2 64-pr. M.L.R. guns.
Battery Armament Infantry post
Rocky Point.
2 104-in. B.L.R, guns. 2 64-pr. M.L.R. guns.
Battery Armament Submarine mines
Fort Augusta.
But though these works keep Port Royal Harbour, and hold an enemy at some distance from the dockyard, they do not secure the town of Kingston from bombardment, 2 7-in. guns. or even from the possibility of an attack by land, delivered from the eastward from the Works neighbourhood of Cow Bay.
To secure Kingston from bombardment it is necessary to occupy Little Plum Point, Town of Kingston. and a position on the Palisades, 1,400 yards to the north-eastward of Plum Point.
Little Plum Point lies very low, and, as the water in this part of the eastern channel
Little Plum Point.
£
2.990
9,400
2,000
£
4,140
9,400
3,000
£ 2,300
is open and the channel itself clear, it is much exposed. The work for this point should 3 10-4-io. B.L.R. guns (2 shielded). mount three 10-4-inch breech-loading rifled guns of 26 tons, of which at least two should 2 64-pr. M.L.R. guns. be behind shields, and the work should be self-defensible; it should also have two medium Battery guns, one on each flank, to sweep the shore on either hand.
Armament
£
24,725
•
15,000
North-east Battery.
The work to the north-eastward should also be self-defensible, and should be designed for four heavy guns of similar calibre, of which two should be behind shields; it also 4 10-4-in. B.L.R. guns (2 shielded). should have two medium guns, one on each flank.
2 64-pr. M.L.R.
guns.
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Battery Armament
£
28,175 19,700
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