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an attack by a small squadron of unarmoured ships would be best provided for by a battery for three 7-ton and three 64-pounder guns on Blockhouse Point, giving a fire on the channel outside and on the shore of the bay, on both sides of the entrance.
If these guns were backed by a second battery for three 64-pounders on Battery Point, looking seaward, the passage of the narrow channel leading up to the town and harbour would become an operation of very great difficulty, and Charlottetown would be secured from attack or bombardment. The battery on Blockhouse Point would have to be made self-defensible, and require a permanent garrison during war in consequence of its advanced position and distance from the town, in which it is presumed the local troops will be found.
It appears from the information telegraphed by the Governor-General that there are two batteries of artillery and two companies of infantry in Charlottetown, and four more companies of infantry in the vicinity. The Committee are not informed of the strength of these units, but it would appear that, allowing for casualties, about 150 artillery would be required for the service of the guns.
The Committee are not in a position to judge of the possibility of effecting a landing in the vicinity with a view to an attack upon the batteries, or to a movement
the upon town, but they are of opinion it is desirable that in addition to a permanent garrison for the work on Blockhouse Point, which should be not less than 100 or 150 men, a sufficient force should be enrolled if possible to resist any attempts made by a column of 500 or 600 men landed in the neighbourhood.
It will be, however, for the Government to consider whether these defences might not be limited to the construction of a battery for two 7-ton and two 64-pounder guns on Battery Point, which would suffice to bring a heavy fire upon the narrow channel in front for a distance of 3,000 yards, and thus ward off any attack by a single unarmoured ship.
Considering that Charlottetown is not a strategical position of consequence, that any attack to which it is exposed is only one of a predatory nature; looking also to the fact that it is 100 miles within the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it might probably suffice to adopt the latter proposal, omitting the battery on Blockhouse Point.
In the former case the estimated cost would be as follows:-
For battery at Blockhouse Point—
Three 7-ton guns, complete
Three 64-pr.
99
Batteries, magazines, &c.
For battery at Battery Point-
Three 64-pr. guns, complete Battery, magazines, &c.
Total
::
:
In the latter case the estimated cost would be:--
Two 7-ton guns, complete
Two 64-pr.
22
Batteries, magazines, &c.
Total
:
::
:
::
:::
£
3,000
1,800
8,400
13,200
1,800
1,800
3,600
16,800
£
2,000
•
1,200
2,400
5,600
Pictou.
Pictou, in Northumberland Strait, is a place of considerable importance in con- sequence of the coal mines in the adjoining district, for which it is the port of shipment. The town, with a population of about 3,000 inhabitants, is situated about three miles from the roadstead on the north side of the Pictou River, on the banks of which there are numerous wharves and piers for loading coals; the entrance to the river being over a bar carrying 19 fathoms at low water.
The roadstead does not admit of being protected by defensive works on land in such a way that ships lying there would be secure against attack by hostile vessels. It will therefore be advisable that ships frequenting the port during war, should all pass up and anchor within the river. The entrance near the lighthouse is little more than 150 yards wide, and may be effectually secured by a small defensible battery on Moodie Point, which should mount three 7-ton and three 64-pounder rifled guns, so placed as to distribute their fire on the water between Cole Point and Mackenzie Head, and to prevent a landing in the boat harbour between the latter and the lighthouse.
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