Inaccessible cha- racter.
Elevation of the island.
Anchorage.
Moorings.
Easily raptured.
Easily defended.
Means of fortifica-
tion.
Powder magazine.
Store-house-.
any landing at high water, and at low water the beach is scarcely a dozen yards
wide.
The summit, consequently, is inaccessible from any point but the "Lower Town," where a broad flight of steps, erected against the face of the rock, in three staircases of gentle acclivity, connects it with the "Upper Town," built immediately above, and almost to the verge of the precipice. Up these stairs, which are always kept in excellent repair, everything is carried on the shoulders of the inhabitants.
The rocks to the westward are about 180 feet high, of uniform elevation; and the summit of the island, which is almost a table land, with a stratum of good productive soil, declines to the eastward to the height of about 150 feet.
Fronting the towns, and protecting them from the ravages of the sea, lies a small sandy island, at the distance of about a mile; the intervening space forming a tolerably secure anchorage from the prevailing winds. (See Isometrical plan.)
This anchorage is approached by the north channel with extreme danger, unless with a pilot of Heligoland and favourable wind, in consequence of a long line of rocks, partly visible at low water, running out from the eastern end of Sandy Island. But vessels may safely enter by the south channel by observing the beacons set up on the Sandy Island, which clears them from a dangerous rock in mid-channel off the south point, marked by the "Stein Buoy." (See plan.)
Vessels often anchor for a night or so to the east of Sandy Island, when the wind is from the north or west.
There are one or two moorings laid down, sufficient for the small steamers which ply between Hamburgh and the island in the summer season. But, to make the anchorage safe for inen-of-war in bad weather, heavier moorings should be sent from England.
In 1807 the Danes surrendered the island to a single English man-of-war upon a summons, backed by an 18-pound shot, exhibited at this day sticking in the upright beam of a house in the lower town. But it was unfortified. At the present moment also, being unfortified and unprotected by a single musket, it would be forced to surrender to the smallest Russian steam-boat that could land a company of soldiers; as there are probably not ten men in the island who ever held fire-arms in their lands, or would have courage to offer resistance.
Yet a company or so of Artillery and Riflemen, with a few heavy guns placed on the high south and cast points, and well supplied with ammunition and stores, could retain possession of the island against a greatly superior naval force. Indeed, by cutting away the steps," the upper town could not be taken, unless by capitulation.
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Nature has provided the best means of fortification, in its abrupt, rocky heights, on which earthworks could be raised in a day. Guns might be landed, and either drawn up on boards placed on the "steps," forming an inclined plane, by means of powerful tackles and blocks, with or without a winch (at which the islanders would readily assist), or, by "rigging out a derrick" from the top of the rock, the guns might be drawn up perpendicularly.
The powder-magazine used in the last war is still in existence (as shown in the isometrical plan near the lighthouse), though possibly wanting some repair.
There are many wooden and brick stores, built during the war, all but empty, and ready to be obtained, besides several capacious boarding-houses in both towns, which might be used as stores, or as an accommodation for troops. One house in the lower town, for instance, is said to make up 100 beds.
There are no barracks, but there is a large school-kouse, built by the Barracks. British Government (near the church), capable of accommodating a large number of troops, the children being easily provided for. Also the "Conversa- tions House," or public ball and concert rooms, &c. (shown in the centre of the Lower Town), and the many large hotels or boarding-houses, which are shut up from the 1st of October till about the 1st of June in every year, and could be hired on very reasonable terms, by proper management.
The inhabitants depend upon their tanks for water; but there is a well of Water. rain-water on Sandy Island, affording a never-failing supply; and within the last ten years an excellent spring of water has been discovered on the premises of the Island Treasurer in the Lower Town, which the author purposely visited to taste during the last autumn. There is also a Government tank (fed by the rain from the roofs of the school-houses), of great capacity and excellent condition.
All supplies, save fish, which the inhabitants dry for their winter consump. Food. tion, is obtained from the Continent. Fat cattle, both alive and dead, are brought over, chiefly from Holstein, in the island boats; but when the steamers are plying, meat (as are all other supplies) is brought from Hamburgh and Altona. Each inhabitant lays in his own stock of winter stores, except groceries, which shopkeepers sell. There are no Government-or, indeed, any merchants'- stores on the island.
The fuel almost entirely consists of turf, burnt in stoves, scarcely a house Fuel. having a chimney; that and firewood, where used, are imported from the Continent in the summer and autumn.
A small depôt of coals is kept up by the agent of the steamers.
The inhabitants (in number about 2,400) are a fine athletic race, and proud Inhabitants. of being English subjects; they are well-disposed, therefore, towards our country; but they are timid, having been unaccustomed for centuries to warfare, and possess so little spirit even in childhood that their boys are never known to fight; yet, they are contentious in words, and unforgiving of injuries, real or imaginary.
Little aid, except as labourers, could be expected from them as soldiers or sailors. Yet, it is possible that half-a-hundred might be found willing to act as a militia on the island, and might prove valuable in working guns under qualified officers. Possibly as many, or more, could be found to go as able-bodied seamen and boys on board men-of-war serving in the Baltic or North Sea, as they scarcely earn 151. a-year on the island by their ordinary calling as fishermen and pilots.
Under their old Danish laws, which were guaranteed to them, all burghers The Queen's autho- are required to render military aid at the call of the Sovereign and as they rity. consider that the Queen of England has the same powers as their Danish Sovereign possessed, they would acknowledge Her Majesty's right so to command their services.
(Signed)
London, December 25, 1855.
GEO. M. STEPHEN.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
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2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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