PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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356
be made use of until the torpedo stores were supplied; but that notwithstanding the increased efficiency of torpedoes, batteries of artillery were considered still essential to pear on attacking ships under whose fire the submarine mines might otherwise be removed.
The report further pointed out that with well-constructed, well-armed, and properly manned batteries of a few heavy guns on Middle Head, George's Ilead, and South Head, acting in conjunction with the torpedoes laid across the entrance of the harbour, there was no necessity for inner defences.
With regard to the distribution of the guns, it was pointed out that the 18-ton guns on the South Head, nad the 10-inch gun at the Middle Head, bearing both on the approach to the harbour and on the entrance channel, were well placed, and further intimated that there were certain defects in the placing of some of the other guns, and recommended that these defects should be remedied.
The proposed distribution was as follows:-
Present.
Proposed.
Situation of Work
Rifled.
Smooth bore.
Rifled.
Smooth bore.
Total.
Total.
10", 9",
10", 9",
18-ton. 12-ton.
80-pr.
68-pr.
10-in.
18-top. 12-ton.
80 pr.
68.pr.
10. in.
357
for the defence of the harbours along the coast, for the protection of local commerce, and to prevent Sydney being shelled by ships lying outside the harbour defences, would be to provide an ironclad vessel superior to any enemy's ship likely to come into Australian waters.
After having discussed the various modes of attack and the character of defences which should be provided, the report enumerates the forces at present at the command of the Colony of New South Wales, which are as follows:-
Officers and Non-com-
MUL.
missioned
Total.
Officers.
General staff
37
37
Permanent staff (three batteries)
75
210
315
Volunteer artillery
101
340
141
Volunteer engineers
■
10
55
65
Volunteer infantry-
335
1,295
Naval brigade
51
271
1,630 322
Total -
6C9
2,701
2,810
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
C.O. 8855 RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
South Head
Outer -
Harbour
Inner
Middle Head-
Outer
Inner.
Cobbler's Beach -
Between
Middle
George's Heads George's Head-
Upper
Lower
Casemated Bradley's Head Shark Point
Other works
and
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19
8
+
41
10
* Casemated with iron shields.
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4+ 1959
3
3.
3
3
To be dismantled.
20
8
42
Permanent barracks were recommended to be provided in connexion with the batteries at Middle Head and South Head for the artillerymen, with defensible enclosures, for protecting the batteries against possible assault by bodies of men who might in the course of an action succeed in landing at any bay in the vicinity.
Certain points were recommended for the erection of barracks at Middle Head, George's Head, and South Head.
The points at which the torpedoes should be laid, between Obelisk Point on the one side and a point between Camp Cove and Lady Bay on the other, which formed a re-enter- ing angle at the Sow and Pigs Shoal, with observing stations at Green Point, and at the existing casemate battery near George's Head, were reported on, and it was considered essential for the efficient working of the torpedoes that they should be entirely under the direction of the head of the telegraph department, who was from the nature of his functions thoroughly qualified for this duty.
The question of an attacking force landing at Botany Bay was also exhaustively dealt with, and it was proposed to provide against such attack by a battery on Bear Island, designed for five guns. Also, that a small barrack should be provided, which, in con- junction with the accommodation in bomb-proofs, would accommodate the garrision, and the defence of Botany Bay would be further secured by a line of electro-contact torpedoes placed across the harbour under fire of the guns.
The coast between Botany Bay and Broken Bay, owing to the difficulties of attack from this quarter, both as regards the distances to be marched and the obstacles to be overcome, did not make it appear as at all probable that an attack would be likely to be attempted, and no recommendations were made for the construction of batteries for the defence of Broken Bay.
In view of one mode of attack upon Sydney which has been frequently adverted to, viz., the probability of hostile vessels throwing shells into the place from outside the entrance to the harbour, it was pointed out that an attack of this nature being possible, it ought to be considered in connexion with the defence of other harbours, and that, weighing all circumstances, the most effective and most economical means of providing
And, in recapitulation, expresses the measures proposed :—
56
Port Jackson and Sydney to be defended against naval attack by land batteries and torpedoes at the entrance to the harbour.
64
Sydney to be defended against attack by an enemy landing a body of inen on any part of the adjacent coast by a field force, and by a work and torpedoes at Botany Bay.
"Newcastle to be defended by a fort and torpedoes.
"An ironclad vessel to be provided for the general defence of the harbours along the This vessel will also defend Sydney
coast, and for the protection of local commerce.
against bombardment."
Also the force to be maintained and the capital cost of the several proposals
Permanent force :-
Military-
3 batteries of artillery
Naval-
Officers and crew of ironclad
Militia force:~
Military-
2 batteries of field artillery
3 batteries of garrison artillery
1 company of engineers
Torpedo and signalling corps
2 battalions of infantry
Naval-
To inan ironclad
Part of garrison at Newcastle
Works and armaments :-
Port Jackson Botany Bay
·
Newcastle
-
Officers and Men.
375
58
433
100
200
-
60
100
- 1,340
1,800
150
50
200
2,000
2,433
£
95,000
25,000
25,000
145,000
30,000
150,000
325,000
Torpedo stores (which must form part of any scheme) Ironclad vessel
Total
The important and interesting report above quoted caused a considerable amount of discussion within the Colony, and many of its valuable suggestions were recognised and brought into operation.
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