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capabilities for defence of the peninsula between Esquimualt and Victoria Harbours, surrounded as it is by water except the narrow gorge at Portage Inlet. The dockyard itself, with its commanding outpost, Signal Hill, is capable of being defended by a handful of men, whilst if at any time it be decided (as, in my opinion, it is most desirable) more thoroughly to fortify, this peninsula can be made practically impregnable by placing redoubts on, and occupying, the heights with a proper garrison.

6. Captain Bedford has clearly shown how inadequate the proposed batteries would be for the defence of Esquimualt, and has suggested valuable alterations in the disposition. of the guns, but retains the three 7-inch guns at Macaulay Point. I think one should be at Rodd Point instead of a 64-pounder, and one at Holland Point.

7. The following is the disposition that I recommend the guns now available :---

Holland Point Macaulay Point

Rodd Point.. Brothers' Island

Signal Hill ..

Į

9-in.

8-in.

7-in.

64-pr.

Total.

1

2

::

2

3

1

1

1

1

1

Co

3

8

8. The above leaves five 64-pounders on truck carriages unapporpriated; I consider the defence complete without them, but if it be desired to employ them, I should place two at Finlayson Point, and one at each of the following positions:-the point inside Scrogy Rocks, the Dockyard Summit, and Duntze Point, at the positions respectively marked A, B, C, and D on Appendix No. 3.

9. The emplacement of guns on rock in such positions as Rodd Point, Signal Hill, and the Dockyard Summit would entail a slight expense for blasting to assist the natural facilities afforded by the sites, but none of any moment.

A

10. In suggesting the above positions for guns, I have not overlooked the rule that guns should not generally be situated so as to draw the enemy's fire on the places they are intended to protect. But this rule scarcely applies to the present case. Fire aimed at Signal Hill could scarcely be bad enough to strike the dockyard 700 yards at right angles to its line. The situation of the dockyard is, moreover, so obvious and well known, that an enemy desiring to shell it would require no assistance to denote its position.

11. The suggested positions of the 9-inch and 8-inch guns may require explanation. The former I would appropriate to Brothers' Island, on the principle of placing the best gun in the best place to keep an enemy at a distance (the most advanced site; and, nevertheless, one not easily surprised, nor tenable whilst commanded by Signal Hill. The latter (the 8-inch) would be valuable on Signal Hill for the same purpose as the 9-inch, and also on account of its singularly commanding position. An enemy with local knowledge might enter the harbour at night without excessive risk from the guns in position, but with an 8-inch gun on Signal Hill he would find himself in a trap and

unable to remain.

12. Although Victoria Harbour, from its shallowness, could not be attempted by an enemy's ship of any size, its defence, as well as that of Victoria City, has not been over- looked in the above suggestions. But I submit that, in the absence of defensive works of an extent not now contemplated, that city is not defensible except by sufficient land forces to meet an enemy in the field. On reference to Appendix No. 4 it will be seen how easily it can be taken in the rear by an enemy landing in Cadboro Bay, Cormorant Bay, or indeed anywhere along a coast line of some 13 miles or more extent, and yet with a march of only 3 to 5 miles to the city.

13. Finally, I would, with all deference for entering upon the subject, draw their Lordships' especial attention to the necessity of Esquimault being defended by Imperial resources and under naval control. The dockyard is Imperial property, and bears the same relative position to our squadron in the Pacific as Halifax does to the squadron in the North Atlantic, but with three-fold force, as there is no Bermuda or Jamaica in these waters, no British Possession within possible reach for supplies and repairs. It is lamentable to think that, in the present defenceless condition of this harbour, and viewing the trifling number of volunteer militia, any fairly organized enemy's expedition should suffice to destroy the dockyard and be masters of the position until again ejected by hard fighting. This is assuming the absence of Her Majesty's ships, which, in case of war, must be counted upon. They could not remain here as mere floating batteries, and, even

K

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