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4. The anchorage is approached by a channel about 1,200 yards in width (see plan letters AA and BB), which could be commanded easily by a small battery on the shore at A or B, or at both. The shoal marked B has only 1 and 2 fathoms on it, so that any vessel coming in must come within easy range of B.

L

5. The following is a statement of the force at my disposal for resisting a landing, should the proposed fort and earthworks at A and B deter vessels from trying to come into Rockley Bay for the purpose of shelling the town :-

Detachment, 2nd West India Regiment

Scarborough Company Rifle Volunteers Windward Company Rifle Volunteers Armed Police

Total

Rank and File, including Sergeants.

Officers.

48

54

66

245

39

207

12

219

6. There are two serviceable 6-pounder brass guns which could be worked by the men of the 2nd West India Regiment (as long as the detachment remains here), and by the police, should the troops be withdrawn.

7. The following is a detail of the guns in position at Fort George, which is about 460 feet above the level of the sea; the platforms are in fair order, but only four of these (two long 18-pounder guns and two long 9-pounders) are in a position to command the anchorage:-

6 18-lb. iron guns, 8 feet long. 4 9-lb.

3 6-lb.

7

6 3

But all these guns could be moved so as to command the Baccolet road and the shore for some hundreds of yards to the south-east of the fort.

8. Amongst other things, Captain Wilkin, 2nd West India Regiment (commanding the troops), suggests the formation of a fire brigade, and the enrolment of able-bodied men for work in the shelter trenches, which, commencing about the mouth of Crooke's river, would have to be dug at the different points commanding the various landing places in Rockley Bay and the approaches to the town by the Baccolet road.

I have, &c. (Signed)

AUGUSTUS FRED. GORE, Lieutenant-Governor.

His Excellency the Governor-in-chief,

Windward Islands.

No. 331.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir A. P. Phayre, G.C.M.G., |

K.C.S.1., C.B.

(Secret.) Sir,

Downing Street, September 16, 1878. WITH reference to your confidential despatch of the 17th July last,* I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the War Office, stating that the two guns ordered for your Government have been duly dispatched, with their equipment. †

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH,

* No. 284.

+ No. 329%

[793]

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