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VICTORIA POINT BATTERY,
Dol.
Dol.
260 feet; 780 posts 11 feet long, 6-inch by 6-inch sawn cedar, at 16 dollars per 1,000
(board measure) .. Digging 260 feet trench 3 feet deep, tarring and setting posts, including loop.holing
411
61
472
Total estimate of stockades
1,858
The Macaulay Point Battery is included, because, though it might be secured in war if the neck of the peninsula between Esquimalt and Victoria were entrenched, yet if it were reached by a land attack it would be rendered completely untenable by a few rifleman posted on a rocky ridge about 500 yards distance; the proposed stockade would defilade the excavated terreplein and afford means for musketry fire in reply. They would also tend materially to preserve the batteries from the depredation of cattle and mauraders, who have already broken into, plundered the magazines, and carried off some of the
gun stores.
To recapitulate:
Armament for Esquimalt in addition to present armament:—
Rodd Point. Four 9-inch 12-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns on traversing platforms and carriages.
Signal Hill.-Two 9-inch 12-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns on Moncrieff carriages.
Present armament:-
Brothers Island.-One 8-inch 9-ton rifled muzzle-loading gun; two 64-pounder 64-cwt. rifled muzzle-loading guns.
Macaulay Point.-Three 7-inch 61-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns.
Present armament for Victoria :---
Finlayson Point. -Two 4-pounder rifled muzzle-loading guns.
Victoria Point. Two $4-pounder rifled muzzle-loading guns.
Proposed additional armament:-
Two 7-inch 61-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns for proposed battery on Holland's Point.
For opposing boat attack :--
Four 16-pounder rifled muzzle-loading field-guns, carriages, harness, &c.
As the armament for Esquimalt will probably be furnished by the Imperial Government, it will doubtless be supplied from Woolwich of the present service patterns.
Should the Dominion Government contemplate the purchase of any guns, I would not recom- mend the latter, because the gun question is in debate, being reconsidered by a Committee at the War Office, a complete change in construction may be introduced, rendering obsolete the guns at present in store at Woolwich, which would be issued on purchase.
Great results have been produced by a long gun (chambered), and, in my opinion, the Dominion Government could not do better than apply to Sir William Palliser to construct such heavy guns as are required, those constructed by him for the United States being pre-eminently satisfactory in the opinion of the officers of the United States' Artillery (vide "United States' Artillery," by Captain E. Palliser); for 64-pounders and smaller guns it has been proved by the successful manufacture of Mr. Gilbert at the Canada Engine Works, Montreal, that our old smooth-bore guns can be converted cheaply and successfully in this country.
The accompanying diagram* will explain the difference between the short service guns and the proposed lengthened barrels as suitable for slow-burning powder.
IV. "The garrison required to be permanently maintained, and the manner in which such garrison should be constituted, stating extent to which assistance in this respect may be expected from local resources."
The smallest permanent garrison of regular trained artillerymen to man and look after the arma- ment and works of Esquimalt would be 200 gunners, with a proper proportion of officers and non- commissioned officers. Having due regard to the instructions to bear in mind that Esquimault is an Imperial station of primary importance (vide III), I would recommend that this force should be marine artillery for the following reasons :----
1. Being completely under the command of the Admiral of the Station, there would be no divided responsibility.
2. The armament at present mounted is of the naval pattern, and could be replaced, if necessary, from the Dockyard stores, together with ammunition, &c. Repairs could also be performed by the Dockyard artificers.
3. The pay, supplies, and clothing of such force could all be carried out by the Admiralty authorities.
4. If any other force than marine artillery were employed, it would necessitate special pay, commissariat, store, and medical departments.
Local Force. The employés of the Dockyard, who are entirely naval artificers and have served afloat, should be embodied as a battery of auxiliary artillery on the principle of the old Dockyard battalions, under the command of the Superintendent of the Dockyard. The terms of their engage- ment render them liable to this service, which, I have no doubt, they would be quite willing to render.
This battery could be specially considered as a garrison for the two Moncrieff pits on Signal Hill, the
* Not received.
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Appendix No. 4.
VANCOUVER ISLAND.
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