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11

Straits Settlements.

The next station to which the Committee desire to refer is Singapore, which, as a great centre of trade in the Eastern seas, is one of the most important coaling stations for Her Majesty's ships, as well as for vessels, both British and foreign, trading with China and the East. Looking to the trade, valued at 74,000,000l. per annum, which passes through the Straits, and the convenience of the position, the Defence Committee placed it third in relative importance on the list of all the coaling stations of Her Majesty's ships abroad.

The Committee have had before them a Report drawn up by Sir W. Jervois, when Governor of the Straits Settlements, on the permanent defence of the harbour, roadstead, and town, and have had an opportunity of personally ascertaining his views as to the modifications which might be introduced therein, in order to provide, in the absence of permanent works, a temporary defence capable of resisting the attack of a small unarmoured squadron.

Speaking of the present state of Singapore, Sir W. Jervois says: "The existing works of Singapore are weak and insignificant. Built many years ago, they were only intended to meet local requirements, and were constructed without reference to the importance of the place as an Imperial naval station. They are five in number, viz. :-

"1. Fort Canning, crowning the hill at the back of the town.

Armament-

68-pounder smooth-bore guns

8-inch

13-inch mortars

99

No. 7

"2. Fort Fullerton, situated on the low projecting spit at the entrance of the Singa- pore River.

Armament-

68-pouuder smooth-bore guns

No. 9

"3. Mount Palmer Battery, constructed on the steep sea-face of the same name.

Armament-

65-pounder smooth-bore guns

No. 5

"4. Mount Faber Battery, situated at the south-east extremity of that ridge, at a height of 132 feet, and now in ruins.

"5. A battery for two 13-inch mortars, at a distance of about 900 yards from the last-named work, and at a height of about 300 feet above the level of the sea."

Armament-

13-inch mortars..

No.

2

A large proportion of the armament of these works is unserviceable, though in some instances the guns are repairable.

Without further entering into the details of these works, which are fully described in Sir W. Jervois' Report, it may suffice to say that some of them should be maintained on account of their command of the town, as they would be very useful in the event of a rising of the native population, although, to quote the concluding words of the Report, they "scarcely provide in any degree for the protection of the new harbour, and there is nothing to prevent a hostile cruizer from entering and destroying the shipping, wharves, coals, and establishments therein.

For temporary defence, the Committee consider that it will be necessary to provide ten 7-ton guns and six 64-pounders; the 7-ton guns to be mounted-five in a new battery on Mount Siloso at the west end of the Island of Blakan Mati, three at the east end of that island, and two on Mount Palmer. The 64-pounders should be distributed among these works at the discretion of the military authorities on the spot.

These batteries will provide for the protection of the new harbour, which, being in the channel between the Island of Blakan Mati and the main island, contains extensive

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