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The removal of the Yard would simplify the plan of defence very materially, for if it remains in its present position it is not, in my opinion, possible to make the stores safe from hostile attack without occupying a strong position in advance of the harbour at Sangster's Knoll or Albert Head.
Sangster's Knoll would no doubt be the best place, though the ground on which any work there would have to be constructed is private property, and some expense would be incurred in obtaining it.
The site at Albert Head is a Government Reserve. It is, however, 3 miles from the mouth of the harbour, and too far in advance.
To complete the road to it would be costly, and the communication by sea would in time of war be liable to interruption.
The largeness of the garrison that would be necessary, and the expense required to make any work in either of these isolated positions unassailable, is one of the most forcible arguments that can be brought forward in favour of the removal of the naval stores to Plumper Bay.
I may remark here that although the coast to the west and south of Sangster's Knoll is accessible in many points, the country is not easy, owing to the thickness of the woods.
The roads, though good, are not numerous, and could easily be rendered unavailable for military
operations by cutting down trees to form obstructions, and by destroying the bridges.
For the defence of Esquimalt from the seaward, the positions laid down in Colonel Nugent's Memorandum of the 14th December, 1880,* at Brothers Island, Rodd Point, and Macaulay Point, appear to be the best that could have been chosen for batteries west of Victoria Harbour.
As careful surveys as were possible in the limited time at his disposal have been made of these points by Lieutenant W. Russell, R.E., tracings of which are inclosed.†
Appendix No. 4.
VANCOUVER
ISLAND.
Sangster's Knoll. Albert Head.
As regards Signal Hill, the accompanying sketches in water-colours by that officer will show the Signal Hill. nature of that isolated clump of rock.
To mount even one gun there would entail considerable expenditure, and although the position is certainly a commanding one, I hardly think that guns placed there would be as useful as stated by the late Colonel Lovell, R.E.
The hill is not high enough, considering the distance it is from the water, to give a plunging fire on the decks of vessels entering the harbour, nor does it flank the shore towards Macaulay Point, and the rear of the Naval Yard would be better covered by placing a work more in the centre of the Esquimalt Peninsula.
At Brothers Island a great deal of blasting will be required to adapt it for a battery, but the same Brothers Island. remark applies to all the other sites selected.
Room can be found here for four heavy guns in addition to the two 64-pounders, though it is doubtful whether regular barrack accommodation for fifty men can be provided.
As, however, it is only a short distance from the shore, a guard-room in which the men could be placed in time of war is all that is required.
I think the danger of the sea dividing this island into two parts has been rather exaggerated. Any tendency that it might have to break through at the present point marked A‡ might easily be stopped by throwing the debris caused by the blasting necessary for the construction of a battery into the water in front of that point.
As stated in my Report of the 21st ultimo, this island is Government property, having been formerly used as the naval cemetery, and in case of its being occupied for defensive purposes, proper arrangements would have to be made for the removal of the many memorial tablets now erected there.
Ön the hill at Rodd Point there is room for more than two heavy guns.
The knoll shown on the charts does not mask it from Sangster's Knoll, and any battery here, besides being casemated and shielded, should be made secure from a coup-de-main from the rear.
Rodd Point.
Macaulay Point appears to be the best position on the shore of the Esquimalt Peninsula for a Macaulay Point. heavy battery, but it is for consideration whether the guns should not be placed behind shields, as it is not more than 45 feet above the water, and the 5-fathom line here comes close to the shore.
As regards the batteries proposed to be erected to the east of Victoria Harbour, I have great Victoria. doubts whether any are required on that side at all.
Works constructed by the Imperial Government should be confined to those absolutely essential
for the defence of the naval stores.
These can all be placed on the Esquimalt Peninsula and the ground to the west of it.
Beacon Hill, on which a work has been proposed, is in the centre of the public park, and the race- Beacon Hill. course runs round it; and even if it were absolutely necessary to occupy it for purposes of defence, so great objection would be raised by all classes that there would be considerable difficulty in obtaining possession of it.
If, however, it is decided to place a battery on this side, Holland Point appears to be the best Holland Point. suited both for the defence of Victoria Harbour and to aid in that of Esquimalt.
It could be easily defiladed from Beacon Hill, and made secure against any attack from the land side, unless accompanied by heavy artillery.
It is stated that Finlayson Point, further to the eastward, would prevent the enemy landing in Finlayson Point. Ross Bay, but there are many other bays, such as Oak Bay, Cadboro Bay, &c., in which an easy landing could be made, and at a distance of only 3 miles from Victoria, with good roads of communication, and it would be of no use to protect one landing-place without affording defence to the others.
Further, any batteries on Beacon Hill, Holland Point, or Finlayson Point would in effect be the means of drawing hostile fire on Victoria, and so exposing it to all the dangers of a bombard-
ment.
It would be better to distribute the guns proposed for Beacon Hill among the batteries on the other side.
The sea defences would then stand as follows
Brothers Island.-4 10-inch M.L.R. guns; 2 64-pounder M.L.R. guns. Rodd Point.-5 10-inch M.L.R. guns, casemated and shielded.
* No. 130.
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+ Not printed.
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