CO885(3-4) — Page 461

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CO. 885

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Supplies.

Dock.

See Map No. 2 for

roposed site.

*96

4. Supplies.

There is an abundant supply of water; and coal and all the necessary supplies for a large fleet can be readily obtained. There is a small floating dock capable of taking up vessels of 300 tons. Unfortunately at the present time there is no graving-dock capable of receiving large ships, and in this respect the harbour of St. John's is at a very great disadvantage. The question of constructing one is now under consideration, and is of vital Imperial interest, as from the geographical position of the port of St. John's, and its facility of access, it affords special advantages as a place of resort for vessels requiring repairs; and to Her Majesty's navy, and to the whole mercantile marine navigating the North Atlantic Ocean, its superiority in these respects in the event of war would be peculiarly appreciable. Importance of dock at Modern ships of war are all liable to slight injuries requiring them to be docked for repairs, and as at the present time the nearest suitable dock is that at Bermuda, 1,000 miles distant, it would be impossible to overrate the serious injury which commerce in the North Atlantic might sustain from enemy's cruizers during the temporary absence of a single protecting ship whilst undergoing trifling though necessary repairs. The want of proper dock accommodation at St. John's has long been felt. The necessity for it becomes every year more apparent, and there is no doubt that, with a little encourage- ment from the Imperial Government, the construction of one would soon be com- menced.

St. John's.

Wharves

Queen's Wharf. On Map 2.

Conditions under

which War Depart-

ment property was

Government

5. W'harves.

There are numerous wooden wharves on both sides of the harbour, with a considerable depth of water alongside of them, which enables the largest ships to discharge or receive cargo without any difficulty. The Queen's Wharf, which was formerly Ordnance property, occupies a very good position for landing military stores, but it has been allowed to decay, and a portion of it has fallen into the harbour. It consisted originally of two piers, each 21 feet wide and about 100 feet long, with a basin between them about 70 feet wide. There is a depth of water of from 28 to 30 feet at the end of these piers. This wharf could easily be repaired at a moderate expense.

[Note. The sum of 3,000 dollars was voted this year for rebuilding the Queen's Wharf, and the work is now being carried out (June 1880).]

Conditions under which the Ordnance property was given over to the Local Govern-

ment :-

It may be necessary to state here that the whole of the War Department property in St. John's was handed over to the Colonial Government on the withdrawal of the troops transferred to Colonial in 1870, on "the understanding that, if at any future period troops are sent to New- foundland at the request of the Colonial Government, or in furtherance of Colonial interests, the Colony will be expected to provide them with barracks or lodgings to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government."-Vide War Office letter, 3rd September, 1870. Conditions accepted in despatch to Colonial Office No. 75 of the 26th October, 1870.

Batteries, See Map 2.

Altered in 1889.

Present condition and situation.

Queen's Battery.

See Map. 3, No. 6.

Parapet.

6. Butteries, &c.

St. John's being the capital, and possessing a good harbour for men-of-war, with small ordnance and naval establishments, has had at different times various batteries constructed for the protection of its harbour and town from an attack from the sea. These have all been thrown up with a view to make the position secure against sailing ships armed with smooth-bore guns. They underwent considerable alterations about the year 1862, in order to render them more fit to contend against the artillery of that day, but they are now quite unsuited to the requirements of modern warfare.

These batteries are still in existence, although in a very dilapidated state, and are principally situated on the north and south sides of the Narrows leading to the harbour. They are as follows:-

7. Queen's Battery.

This battery, which is situated on a spur of Signal Hill, about 390 feet above the water, underwent considerable alterations in the year 1862 to render it fit to receive an arhament of two 68-pounder 95 cwt. and six 32-pounder 58 cwt. guns, which were sent out from England in that year. Its parapet, which is only about 24 feet high, was intended for guns en barbette, and affords but little protection to the gun detachments. Granite curbs and iron racers for six guns have been fitted, and are at the present time in a good state of preservation. The parapet is also in fair condition; it is built of stone from the adjacent quarries on Signal Hill. The terreplein of this battery is about 30 feet

97

wide, and has been formed by scarping away the rock, which slopes steeply in front to the water's edge.

The fire from this battery will be very plunging, and would not afford a close defence; Fire very plunging. but it commands Fort Amherst on the South Head, and supports it, rendering it untenable in the hands of an enemy This battery is about 750 yards from the entrance, and has a range over the offing between cast-north-east and south-east.

About 30 yards in rear of the battery is a small guard-house, with accommodation for Guard-honas,

19 men.

In close proximity to the guard-house is the magazine. It is built of brick, and arched. Its interior dimensions are: length, 11 feet 10 inches; breadth, 8 feet; height, about 8 feet. It is capable of holding about 96 barrels of powder.

Magazine.

Both guard-house and magazine are in a somewhat dilapidated state, but could be repaired without any very great expense. The magazine appears to be damp, but this is probably due to the fact that it has been for ten years unoccupied.

This battery would be of considerable use against an enemy's vessel attempting to Remarks on battery. force the passage of the Narrows; but the want of suitable protection for the ments is a very great disadvantage against the fire of modern artillery. If a thick parapet detach- gun of earth were constructed, the guns would require to be moved considerably to the rear, and the rock in front cut away sufficiently to admit of the same depression as at present. This, as previously stated, does not afford a close defence, and the fire from the produce little or no effect upon a swift steamer moving in rapidly by night or during the guns would prevalence of a thick fog.

8. Fort Amherst.

This fort is situated on the South Head, at the entrance to the Narrows, and was Fort Amherst. formerly considered an important battery. It stands about 88 feet above the level of the No. 9 on Map 2. sca, and from time to time has undergone various alterations to fit it for more modern guns. The interior has been scarped away to form a terreplein for the battery, which is of horseshoe form, having a small half-moon battery above it for two guns in rear. The parapet is of masonry covered with earth, and is about 10 feet thick. fitted in the year 1862 with curbs and racers for five 95 cwt. 68-pounder guns, firing This battery was through embrasures.

The guns in the battery are commanded within musketry range from the hills in rear. In the year 18114 the fort was lent to the Colonial authorities as a site for the present lighthouse, and if the fort were again armed there can be no doubt that it would necessitate the removal of the lighthouse, as from its position it would afford an excellent mark to an enemy's fire directed against the fort, and would soon be demolished.

The magazine belonging to this fort was never considered completely bomb-proof. It Magazine.

is situated in the basement of a two-storied stone building; the magazine itself is covered with a 9-inch arch, and the building with a 2-feet masonry arch.

The magazine appears to be in good condition; the powder for the fog gun is kept in it, and at the present time it contains about 2 tons of powder. It is supposed to be capable of holding 68 barrels.

Quarters for about 20 men could be provided in the building adjoining the magazine, Barracka, which is in good order, and is now in the occupation of the lighthouse-keeper and family.

9. Waldegrave Battery

Is situated on a spur 135 feet above the water, 330 yards inside the Chain Rock, and Waldegrave Battery. about 1,150 yards from the entrance to the Narrows.

The position is a good one for the defence of the entrance and passage of the Narrows, and the guns support Fort Amherst.

In 1862 it was repaired and fitted for four 32-pounder 58 cwt. guns, viz., 1 traversing and 3 on platforms.

No. 7 on Map 2.

There is no expense magazine for this battery, as it was intended that the shell-filling Magazine, room should be capable of containing a few cases of powder.

There is a small wooden guard-house adjoining this battery, intended to accom- modate 4 men.

The battery platforms and buildings are in a bad state of repair.

10. Chain Rock Battery.

This battery is situated on a small projecting rock about 15 feet above the water, at the narrowest part of the channel, at a distance of about 800 yards from the entrance to the Narrows.

[1093]

2 D

Guard-bouso.

Chain Rook Battery. No. 8 on Map 2