CO885(3-4) — Page 462

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Parapet.

Advantages and disadvantages.

Magarine.

Guard-honge.

Frederick's Battery. .Seo May 2,

Quiddy Viddy Bat tery.

No. 11, see Map 2.

Disadvantages.

No magazine.

Guard-house.

Fort William.

No. 8 on Map 2

F

Captured by French in 1761, Recaptured 1762.

Position.

Magazine.

Barracke.9

98

The parapet is from 10 to 12 feet thick and about 7 feet high, with embrasures for two guns on ground platforms and one gun on a traversing platform. The original armament of the battery was three 32-pounder guns.

The fire from this battery would command that part of the Narrows which does not come under the fire of the guns in the Queen's Battery.

The position is in some respects a good one, but the guns are too low, and the interior space so confined that the defenders would soon be driven out and the guns silenced.

There is a small expense magazine, built of wood, under the parapet, which would probably hold about 64 barrels of powder.

A small wooden guard-house adjoins the battery, which is capable of accommodating The battery and buildings are all in a bad state of repair.

4 men.

11. Frederick's Battery.

This battery continues to be shown on charts as if it were still in existence. It was situated on the south side of the Narrows, commanding the entrance, but has long been abandoned, and at the present time all traces of the original work have disappeared.

12. Quiddy Viddy Battery.

This was a small two-gun battery, constructed to defend the entrance to Quiddy It is about Viddy Harbour, and is situated at a height of about 66 feet above the sen. half-a-mile to the northwa.d of Signal Hill and one and a-half miles from St. John's.

This battery, which consists simply of a low stone parapet, is not self-defensible, and probably was never intended to do more than watch the landing-place and cover the flank of the position on Signal Hill.

One of the disadvantages of its position is that it is liable to be taken in reverse by an enemy landing at Cuckold's Cove, which is practicable for small boats in nearly all weathers.

This battery has little effective range beyond the entrance to Quiddy Viddy Gut, and in the event of an enemy landing in Quiddy Viddy Harbour its usefulness will be limited to a very few minutes. It must, however, be considered as a very necessary defence at this most vulnerable point.

There is no expense magazine attached to this battery, but there is a small shell-filling room which would probably hold sufficient ammunition for the two guns-about 50 rounds. About 20 yards in rear of the parapet is a small wooden building, intended to afford accommodation for the guard for the battery-about 6 men. This is now in occupation, but requires repairs.

13. Fort William.

This was the first work constructed for the protection of the town and harbour of St. John's, and was principally intended as a defence against a land attack.

It was taken by the French in 1761, and recaptured in the following year by Colonel Amherst, who, by constructing batteries which commanded it within 600 yards, soon rendered it untenable. It was condemned afterwards as a land defence, and at the present time there are but few traces of the old works remaiping. It was, however, retained as a sea battery, and mounted three or four old 18-pounder guns.

The battery is situated at an elevation of about 106 feet above the water, at a distance of about 2,000 yards from the entrance to the Narrows, and bears directly upon the narrowest part of the channel between the Chain and Pancake Rocks.*

There is a small splinter-proof magazine under the parapet, but it does not appear to have been used as such for many years, and there is reason to suppose that it was abandoned on account of damp.

Accommodation for 3 officers and 123 men was provided in the barracks within this fort, but with the exception of the Commandant's quarters the buildings are of wood, and in such a bad state of repair that they were condemned as barracks many years before the troops left the Colony. The Commandant's quarters are built of stone, and are in fair condition, being now in the occupation of civilians.

* Some large houses have lately been built between the fort and the harbour, considerably impeding the view of the Narrows from the fort, and rendering it useless as a sea-battery.

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14. Fort Townshend.

This fort was commenced in the year 1762, and constructed with a rampart, ditch, Fort Townshend. and covered way, with bomb-proofs for men and stores. It is situatad at an elevation of No. 1 on Map 1. about 200 feet above the sea, towards the western end of the town, which it commands as well as the harbour. It is 2,000 yards from the Chain Rock, and is now dismantled, having long been given up for defensive purposes.

The magazine belonging to this fort is partly underground, and does not appear to Magazine. have been used for powder for the last fifty years, as the damp has always been excessive and most injurious to the powder when it was stored there.

The quarters for troops inside this fort are built of wood and are very much Barracks. decayed; they are at present in the occupation of the police, but could never be rendered fit for troops.

15. Barracks.

вы

The new barracks on Signal Hill is a two-storied stone building facing St. George's New barracks. Pond; it was built in the year 1842, and at the present time is in very good condition and No. 5 on Map 2. fit for immediate occupation by troops.

It was used as a temporary gaol about five years ago, and underwent some slight Used as a temporary alterations in order to render it fit for that purpose; it has also been used as a quarantine gnol. establishment, and it is therefore advisable that it should be lime-washed and thoroughly cleaned before reoccupying it at any time. It could be cleaned and rendered fit for occupation in 48 hours.

Quarters could be provided for 1 officer and about 105 non-commissioned officers Fit for occupation. and men.

There is stabling for two horses adjoining.

16. Houses C and D.

These buildings are situated on the edge of the cliff on the crest of Signal Hill, facing Houses C and D. the sea; they were originally intended as store-houses; but on the adjacent wooden No. 10 on Map 2. barracks being reported uninhabitable, the troops were transferred from them in November 1864, and these houses were used as barracks until the year 1870.

The buildings were in one block; two-storied, and built of stone; and although very much exposed they make fairly good barracks. At the present time the flooring and woodwork is in a somewhat bad state in 'consequence of damp, but it could be repaired in a few weeks and the rooms rendered fit for occupation.

Quarters could be provided here for about 128 non-commissioned officers and men.

17. Old Wooden Barracks.

These barracks are situated on Signal Hill about 70 yards to the northward of the Old wooden barracks. houses C and D. They were built in 1796, but were condemned as barracks in the

No. 4 on Map 2. 1864, and the troops moved from them to the houses C and D adjoining.

year

The buildings are now completely in ruins and utterly useless; they would interfere with the fire seaward of any guns which might be mounted on the small hill in rear of them, and as there can be no advantage in allowing them to remain, is is strongly recommended that they should be removed without delay.

18. Armoury.

This is a wooden building on the north side of Signal Hill, having racks fitted up for Armoury. about 3,000 stand of arms, apparently made for Enfield rifles.

The whole appears to be in very good condition, and only requires cleaning. It is, however, questionable whether such a building is suitable for storing arms, as it is exposed to considerable danger from fire, owing to the fact that there are sergeants' quarters under the same roof, and also another wooden building within a few yards of it. These buildings are now in occupation, and appear to be in good order.

.

19. New Magazine.

Jon Map 2.

This building was finished in the year 1868, and appears to have been intended as New magazine. the principal magazine for the batteries on Signal Hill. It is situated on the north-west don Map 2.