CAB7-1 — Page 276

Page 276

Page 276

17

Inclosure 2 in No. 19.

Memorandum.

Defence of Table Bay.

IN considering what permanent defences are required for the protection of Cape Town on the sea-side, and what should be the nature of that defence, it is necessary to set clearly before us what damage, in the present undefended state of Table Bay, an enemy's cruizer could inflict, and then to provide means for preventing it.

The nearest vulnerable points which present themselves to an enterprising enemy are the docks, and the shipping lying in those docks.

These points may be said to be at present entirely undefended, as the batteries which are at present in existence can only protect them on the north-east side. An enemy could bring his ship close in on the north-west side, and act against these vulnerable points in any way that he might consider most advantageous.

A battery on the position called "Kyk in de Pot" is, therefore, indispensable, and should I, consider, be commenced without delay.

As this battery can receive no support from those which lie further to the south and east, and would have to bear the whole burden of protecting the north-west sea approach, I consider that Colonel Hassard, in recommending five heavy guns as a minimum for its armament, has not under-estimated its requirements.

The arc of fire of at least three of the guns of this battery should extend to a line drawn due north-west, so as to prevent the enemy's ship from taking up such a position as would enable her to enfilade the shipping lying in the docks.

I am not sufficiently acquainted with the relative power of modern guns as to be able to express an opinion as to the nature of the armament which should be provided for this battery.

Looking, however, to its importance, and to its isolated position, I consider it would be false economy to place in it guns that are not fully equal to the requirements of the situation. The battery should, I consider, from the first, be built and armed in such a manner as will enable it, when completed, at once to perform the full part it is intended to play in the defence of Table Bay.

The batteries to the east of the docks-Fort Amsterdam, Imhoff, Fort Knokke, and Craig's Tower-can all, in a greater or less degree, fulfil the double purpose of protecting the docks, as well as the town, on the north-east side of the bay.

Fort Amsterdam, however, is the only one that can perform both these duties in an adequate manner.

Kyk in

From its position it can cross its fire to the north and north-east with the " de Pot" battery, and can range further seaward in those directions than any of the other batteries.

Its are of fire also, for the protection of Cape Town itself, is superior to the Imhoff, and equal to Fort Knokke and Craig's Tower.

I would recommend, therefore, that an armament of at least four heavy guns be pro- vided for Fort Amsterdam, and that this work be considered as next in importance to that of the "Kyk in de Pot" battery.

With these two batteries fully armed and adequately manned, I consider that the two vulnerable points of Table Bay, viz., the docks and the town, would be adequately pro- tected on the sea face.

I would not recommend any alteration of armament in the Imhoff Battery. From its position it can afford the least protection of all the batteries to the town, and is of no value whatever as a protection to the docks.

There is but little difference in the relative value of the two positions of Fort Knokke and Craig's Tower.

They are neither of them, in my opinion, essential to the defence of Table Bay, so long as the attack is confined to bombardment, and is not combined with an attempt to land troops.

Should it be considered advisable to take this latter contingency into consideration at once, I would then recommend that Fort Knokke be placed in a serviceable condition.

It is better placed for assisting in the defence of the town than either Imhoff or Craig's Tower; its arc of fire eastward commands all the beach to the westward of the Salt River, and it would be able to afford protection to Fort Amsterdam should any attempt be made to storm that battery.

Page 276

Page 276