6
Mauritius.
7
Ceylon.
طبع
Passing on from South Africa, the Committee proceed to consider the Mauritius, a position rendered unusually important, apart from its value as a coaling station and harbour, by the possession of a good graving dock, capable of accommodating a moderate sized ship of war.
This island presents so many practicable points for a hostile landing that it would be vain at a time of pressure to attempt more than the defence of Port Louis. Other points, such as Grand Port, Black River, Flacq, Grand River, and Souillac, are furnished with block-houses, and, in some instances, with small batteries armed with light smooth-bored guns, which might, perhaps, be turned to some account in resisting a landing from boats.
The situation of Port Louis, at the end of a deep bay, approached by a comparatively narrow entrance, is well adapted for defence; and there already exist works which, with a slight addition to their present armament, may be regarded as sufficient to secure the place from attack by sea, under the conditions previously stated. The entrance to the harbour is guarded by Forts William and George, one on either side; but at present the latter only is armed, Fort William having been abandoned owing to the unhealthiness of its situation. Fort George numbers among its armament four 7-inch breech-loading rifled guns. To * these the Committee recommend the addition of two 6 or 7-ton guns.
Armament-
7-inch breech-loading rifled guns..
68-pounder smooth-bore guns
8-inch
8-inch howitzer
19
32-pounder smooth-bore guns
No.
4
2
11
7
21
They also recommend a small supply of submarine mines, the employment of which would contribute materially, as well as morally, to the strength of the defence.
The estimated cost of these proposals is :—
Two 7-ton guns, complete
Additions to existing batteries Submarine mince
Total
..
..
:::
£
2,000
400 2,000
4,400
Owing, however, to the facilities for landing, alluded to above, at many points on the coast, the Committee deem it to be indispensable that there should be a moveable field- force, for repelling invasion, if the capital is to be made secure. The present garrison consists of a wing of a regiment, with a battery of artillery. As at least 1,000 regular infantry would be required for the defence, the Committee are of opinion that in the event of war the garrison should be made up to that strength. The peculiarly mixed character of the population is not favourable to the enrolment of a local force for general purposes; but there can be no doubt that a small force of about 150 men might be raised to supple- ment the artillery, who, at their present strength, are not numerous enough to serve the whole of the guns.
Proceeding to the Colony of Ceylon, the Committee find three places of importance which need consideration :-
Ocean.
h
1. Trincomalee. An Imperial naval station, and the finest harbour in the Indian
2. Galle. A great commercial coaling station and port of call, especially for postal steam communication with India, China, Japan, and Australia.
3. Colombo. A commercial port of rising importance, and the capital of the Colony.
The existing defences of Trincomalee consist of two considerable works :---
1. Fort Frederick occupies a promontory jutting out to the north-east from the strip of land separating the harbour from the open sea.
This fort mounts 41 smooth-bore guns and 6 mortars, and contains considerable barrack, hospital, and store accommodation.
Armament-
32-pounder smooth-bore gune
24
11
**
18
1.
""
"
6
13-inch mortars..
10
"
8
"
:::
:::
::::
:::
::::
:::
::::
::::
:::
No.
5
9
26
1
41
1
6
It commands Back and Dutch Bays, but the present armament is not effective, except
at short ranges. The Committee, therefore, recommend that three 7-ton rifled guns should
be mounted in addition, to give a more distant and effective fire upon these bays.
2. Fort Ostenburg stands upon the south-west extremity of the ridge of that name, a commanding site 200 ft. above the sea. It overlooks the deep-water channel leading into the harbour, and constitutes the principal defence of the anchorage and dockyard. The fort is protected by natural scarps and by walls, and mounts 24 smooth-bored guns and 3 mortars-an armament which, like that of Fort Frederick, is only effective against unarmoured ships at short ranges.
Armament-
$2-pounder smooth-bore guns.
24
"
18
**
"
"
13-ineb mortars..
10
"
:::
:::
::
:::
::
No.
8
3
13
24
One 12-ton 9-inch rifled gun has been already sent for mounting in an emplacement prepared for it in this fort.
The Committee recommend that steps should be taken to mount this gun without loss of time. They further recommend that two 64-ton or 7-ton guns should be sent out at once, and mounted in this work, to secure a more distant fire than the existing arma- ment afforda, on the entrance to the harbour. These guns will also serve to protect the submarine mines, a few of which should be laid outside the entrance, if a sufficiency of trained men can be found to work them. But as this defence will be very imperfect, the Com- mittee are of opinion that as soon as guns can be provided, two additional 7-ton guns should be supplied for Fort Ostenburg, and four 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns, to supplement the smooth-bored armament.
[520]
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTTTTCO. 885
4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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