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The Committee are of opinion that each of these batteries should mount not less than two 7-ton and two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns, and suggest that they should both be placed on the western side, instead of on opposite sides of the entrance, because they conceive that in this position, both being nearer to the more inhabited districts, they would most probably be manned and defended with less difficulty, and less interference with the ordinary pursuits of the inhabitants than if one of the batteries were on the eastern side of the entrance.
The Committee have not sufficient information to enable them to judge of the probability or possibility of an enemy landing to the westward of Cranberry Head, with a view to making a dash and capturing the proposed batteries by a coup de main, but it would appear advisable that the possibility of such an attack should be considered on the spot, and proper precautions taken against it by making the batteries self-defensible, or otherwise by a defensible work on the high ground in rear of them.
The Committee recommend also the construction of a battery to mount two 7-ton, two 64-pounder guns in second line on Edward Point, to bring a fire on the water from Fishery Cove on the east to the loading ground on the west, which, in case of the entrance being forced, would prevent a ship taking the coal at the stages.
This harbour is one which is particularly well adapted for defence by submarine mines, which, if laid in the channel under the protection of the proposed advancéd batteries, and protected at night and in foggy weather by guard boats, would render it unnecessary to construct the battery on Edward Point, and would afford complete security to the harbour.
The Committee are not aware whether the Dominion have any trained body of men who can take charge of submarine mining defences, without which they cannot be efficiently worked, and have, therefore, thought it right to recommend the third battery.
With respect to the number of men requisite for manning the batteries and for securing them against attack by a force landed in the neighbourhood, the Committee observe that the Governor-General, in his telegraphic despatch of the 13th May,* states that there are one battery of artillery and three companies of infantry at Sydney, but the strength of these units is not given.
The total force necessary for fully manning the guns, allowing for casualties, would be about 150 artillery, and it is desirable that the infantry should be increased to the extent the population, stated to be about 3,000, will admit.
The estimate for the works is as follows, but will be subject to deduction, if the existing batteries can be utilized, which is probably the case
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Four 7-ton guns complete
Four 64-pr.
""
Batteries, magazines, &c.
Total cost of two batteries
Battery on Edward Point, including armament
Total
Or, as an alternative-
Two batteries, as above
Submarine mines
Total
:
:
:
::
:
::
£
4,000
2,400
4,800
11,200
5,600
16,800
11,200
3,000
14,200
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Charlottetown, with a population of about 7,000 inhabitants, is on the Hillsborough river, about 4,500 yards from Blockhouse Point, where it discharges into Hillsborough Bay. The approach to the river through the bay is by a narrow channel, about 1,300 yards in width between shoals, carrying only three fathoms of water, for a distance of about 5,000 yards. The channel up the river inside Blockhouse Point, for a distance of nearly 3,000 yards, averages only about 400 yards in width.
According to a telegraphic despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, dated 13th May, it appears that there are three 32-pounder smooth-bored guns at Charlottetown, but the Committee have no information as to the position in which these guns are mounted. At any rate, being only smooth-bored guns, they are altogether inadequate for the defence of the barbour against ships armed with modern rifled artillery.
The Committee are of opinion, therefore. that the defence of Charlottetown against
* See Miscellaneous No. 35 E, p. 37.
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