State for the Colonies, dated 20.5 March 1878.
2. I apprehend your Excellency, that in the event of an outbreak of war, the Forts and seaboard Towns
of this Colony would have a two.fold danger to guard against, vig ;-
1th A Bombardment by a small
hostile squadron, or single Cruiser. gudly A landing party to Enforce
requisitions, or seize supplies. 3. Protection from the first of these dangers, I regret to say, it is entirely beyond the power of the land forces
to afford, as the Forts are of
an obsolete
and somewhat tumble down character, their armament is of the old (S.B.)
Smooth-bore Pattern, in many cases
unserviceable, and they are therefore
incapable
8
Page 555Page 556
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