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tracing attached to your letter under reply.
"The question has had the careful consideration of the Committee, and I am desired to state, for the information of His Excellency the Administrator that, the Committee are of the opinion that an obstruction on Hellet's Bank would not interfere with the navigation of the Western Entrance of this Port, but they do not consider that wooden piles would accomplish the object in view. Duck piles would not, it is believed, offer an effective obstacle to a powerful man of war, while it should also be remembered that within two or three years' time they are almost certain to be destroyed by the action of sea worms.
As an alternative plan, the Committee think that a stone barrier would better serve the purpose, and as it would not be subject to decay, the need for renewal would not arise; further, the Committee are informed that the cost of such an obstruction would be less than wood. Besides these advantages over the pile barrier, the stone barrier suggested would also act to a certain extent as a break-water to the heavy seas coming from the South-West during bad weather, and materially aid to the safety of the shipping in the harbour. This permanent and possibly roughly made break-water would undoubtedly require to be raised above high water mark, and to be lighted by small towers at the Northern and Southern ends; but these requirements could be met, the Committee are advised, at no great cost."
barrier