PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885/
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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position, while receiving but little protection themselves. If the inner harbour were deepened, which the Indian Committee recoinmend, believing that it would involve no great expense, large vessels could lie inside the harbour, where they would be perfectly sheltered, and no longer in the way of the batteries. We have no evidence as to the probabile cost, but we are of opinion that no small expenditure should stand in the way of the improvement of the inner barbour.
25. As to the apportionment of expense, we are of opinion that the cost of the defences should be equally divided between the Home Government and the Government of India, and that the garrison should, as now, be wholly provided by the Government of India.
Perim.
26. The Island of Perim is in the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb, at a distance of 100 miles from Aden. As to the value of the harbour there is some difference of opinion. In any case, however, Perim does not command the entrance to the Red Sea, the channel between it and the coast of Africa being about 10 miles wide; but ships can at all times lie on one side of the island or the other, according to the direction of the wind. It is right to prevent the occupation of the island by any other Power; but with a defended port at Aden, it appears to us unadvisable that any expense should be incurred, or garrison maintained beyond what is necessary to keep alive our territorial rights.
Ceylon.
27. The distance of Ceylon from the Cape of Good Hope is 4,400 miles, from Mauritius 2,100, from Aden 2,130, from Bombay 960, from Singapore 1,510, and from King George's Sound 3,400.
The Cape of Good Hope, Aden, Singapore, and the Australian ports, when placed in a state of defence, will make the Indian Ocean difficult of access to hostile squadrons, and will act as the first line of defence for Ceylon. If measures are also taken to prevent an enemy's ships from coaling within this ocean, Ceylon will be comparatively safe from heavy attacks. It is, however, possible that, after all, a hostile cruizer, or even a squadron, may evade your Majesty's ships and enter the Indian Ocean, and it is therefore necessary to give consideration to the defences of Ceylon.
We think that a port should be selected for defence which should be at once a convenient coaling and refitting station and a port of refuge for commercial ships. Three ports in Ceylon have been brought to our notice.-Galle, Colombo, and Trincomalee.
Galle.
28. Galle has hitherto been a very important coaling station for mercantile ships, but, owing to the concentration of trade at Colombo, consequent on the facilities afforded by the railroad from the interior, and the greater security given to shipping by the construction of the harbour works now in progress, the Mail Steam Companies have either transferred, or are about to transfer, their establishments to Colombo, and a small local trade is all that will remain at Galle. Therefore, although Galle is more in the direct route for ships passing Ceylon than either Colombo or Trincomalee, there is no interest of sufficient importance to warrant the construction of works, or the maintenance of a garrison for its defence. The works erected by the Dutch have been kept up and slightly modified from time to time; and were, as recently as 1878, adapted for the recep- tion of 7-inch guns, on the recommendation of the Colonial Defence Committee.
29. We concur with the local Committee which reported upon the defences of the island in recommending that the guns should be removed and the defences dismantled.
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bably be made before long. Therefore, for local reasons, apart from Imperial considerations, Colombo should possess sufficient means of defence, which must consist partly of floating defences, as neither the town nor harbour can be rendered secure by land batteries alone against long-range fire from ships in the offing.
31. In 1878, on the recommendation of the Colonial Defence Committee, the fortifications erected by the Dutch were partially reconstructed, and 7-inch guns mounted; but these, which were the only guns available at the time, are altogether inadequate.
32. Valuable experience has been gained during the last year by the formation of a volunteer corps, stimulated by the temporary withdrawal of the 102nd Regiment for service at the Cape. The strength of the corps in October 1881 exceeded 1000 men, of whom, however, but a small
propor- tion were Europeans. Although it is too early yet to speak with confidence of the permanency of this movement, the local Committee deemed it probable that an effective strength of from 400 to 500 men, which could be increased in case of war, might be relied upon; but they added that this force would only be available for Colombo, and not for Gallo or Trincomalee. The local polico force numbers over 1.500 men, and is largely composed of Malays, who make efficient soldiers when well commanded. In the opinion of the Committee, there would be no difficulty in drafting 250 or 300 Malays in an emergency from the police to serve as auxiliaries, who would be of value in saving European troops from exposure in the tropical climate of Ceylon.
Trincomalee.
33. Trincomalee, on the north-eastern side of the island, about 270 miles from Point de Galle, is the safest and most commodions harbour in these seas, and very capable of defence. It is a large land-locked bay, containing 1,800 acres of deep water, and the principal entrance--between Fort Ostenberg and Little Sober Island-is only 500 yards wide. The splendid harbour first attracted the attention of the Dutch, and ever since the British occupation of Ceylon in 1796 has been used by the Royal Navy. The naval establishment is, however, small, and contains neither docks nor extensive machinery for refitting or repairing ships. Trincomalee is, in fact, only a coaling- station and depôt for stores, to which ships sometimes resort for slight repairs. Being ont of the course of trade it has never attracted shipping, and ships of war lying fliere would be at a great disadvantage in obtaining information of an enemy's movements at sea. From a Colonial point of view, Trincomalee is of no special value to Ceylon,
34. Considering the means that exist for refitting and repairing merchant-ships at Hong Kong, Singapore, Mauritius, in the Hoogley, and at Bombay, and the extensions which are constantly being made to satisfy the increasing demands of trade, we cannot recommend the construction of a dock and machinery at Trincomalee."
35. As to the apportionment of the expense to be incurred at Colombo between the Imperial and Colonial Governments, it would appear to be fair that the Imperial Government should supply the armaments and the gun and torpedo boats, while the Colony should bear the cost of altering and completing the fortifications, and should give up a portion of the land reclaimed or to be reclaimed by dredging in Colombo Harbour sufficient to form a moderate naval establishment. The Colonial Government should further bear the cost of manning and maintaining the gun and torpedo boats.
III. THE ROUTE THROUGH THE MEDITERRANEAN AND SUEZ CANAL.
36. In our first Report we referred to the importance of Gibraltar and Malta as fortresses on the sea route through the Mediterranean, but we do not propose to enter into the question of their defence, in consequence of communications received from your Majesty's Government requesting us to consider tlieso places, together with Bermuda and Halifax, as outside the scope of our inquiry. We are therefore absolved from the duty of inquiring into and reporting upon these stations. We feel confident that your Majesty's Government will, without loss of time, take every measure to satisfy themselves as to the condition of these four most important fortresses in respect of works, armaments, garrisons, and supplies.
Colombo.
30. Colombo, the commercial capital and principal coaling-station, is on the south-west side of the island, and 68 miles distant from Galle. A commodious harbour has for some years past been in course of construction, and is now so far advanced that slips of the largest class find perfect shelter under the protection of the breakwater during the south-west monsoon. Colombo is the only place in the island where any repairs to machinery can be effected, and docks will pro-
Cyprus.
37. Having referred to the Suez Canal in our first Report, we have only now to consider the desirability of establishing a coaling-station in Cyprus, your Majesty's most eastern outpost in the Mediterranean. We find that there is only one port in the island-Famagusta-which is suitable for such a purpose. We cannot, however, recommend a fortified coaling and refitting station in this case, owing to the extent of the works and the large garrison which, we are informed by the War Department, would be required.
• Admiral Sir A. Milne dissented from the proposal to abandon Trincomalee as a fortified coaling station and naval port.
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