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4

5. Craig's battery, a short distance to the east of the last, and like it, in ruins.

Armament-

24-pounder

No. 2

6. Fort Wynyard, or Kyk in de Pot, occupies a commanding knoll overlooking the docks and new mole. It was temporarily repaired and armed in 1861; but the guns have since been withdrawn.

As will be seen from the enumeration of the existing armament given above, the whole of the guns in these works are smooth bored, and consequently only of use against unarmoured ships at short ranges. Most of the existing batteries are moreover situated immediately in front of the town, and close to the docks, so that if used they would draw an enemy's fire upon the place, involving great destruction of property.

Under these circumstances, and with a view to placing Table Bay on a level with Simon's Bay as regards defence, the Committee are of opinion that it would be most advisable to despatch at once to Cape Town not less than ten 6 ton guns, with carriages and fittings complete, and 100 rounds of ammunition per gun, and that instructions should be sent at once to the Colony to prepare for their reception by commencing the construc- tion of batteries in positions to be selected by the local military authorities. It will probably be found best to mount five guns eastward of the bay in the vicinity of Craig's battery, and the remainder near Kyk in de Pot. It might also be advisable to remove some of the smooth-bored guns to positions where they might be used against boats or light craft, and thus avoid expending the ammunition of the heavier rifled guns. It is also desirable that whenever guns can be spared, six muzzle-loading rifled 64-pounders should be sent to supplement the present armament. Types of suitable batteries for the guidance of the local authorities could be furnished by the War Office. It is further recommended that a gun-boat of the "Comet" class, mounting one 18-ton gun, in all respects complete, should be sent to Table Bay, as that station, owing to the protection afforded by the new mole and safe inland docks, offers an excellent position for so powerful an auxiliary to local defence. The estimated cost of these proposals is as follows:-

Ten 6-ton guns, complete

Six 64-pounder guns, complete Batteries, magazines, &c. Gun-boat

Submarine mines

Total

£

10,000

3,600

17,600

13,000

3,000

47,200

It is also desirable that whenever guns can be spared, six muzzle-loading rifled 64-pounders should be sent to supplement the present armament, at an additional cost of 3,6001. The employment of submarine mines was under the consideration of the Committee; but looking to the exposed position of Table Bay and the heavy rolling sea, which is raised by the prevailing winds, they cannot but regard the employment of this means of defence as somewhat uncertain, and scarcely applicable to the locality. At the same time they consider that a small number of such mines might be sent to Cape Town with advantage, as a favourable opportunity for using them might present itself, and the moral effect of their presence would be too considerable to be neglected.

With regard to troops, the Committee have had before them the Report of the Defence Committee, in which the opinion is expressed that the defence of Simon's Bay will demand a garrison, consisting of a battalion of regular infantry, 1,000 strong, and 200 artillery. They concur in this recommendation, and adopt these numbers, as the strength of the garrison which ought to be maintained for its defence in time of war.

The Committee are further of opinion that a similar force of trained troops, with the addition of a battery of field artillery, would suffice to protect Table Bay and Cape Town against a hostile force landed beyond the range of the guns, with a view to a movement upon the seat of Government.

The Committee have had before them the Report of the Defence Committee, of which His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-chief is President, in which it is stated that the number of troops, infantry, artillery, and engineers, required for the defence of the coaling stations alone, is greater than could be spared in the event of war from the regular forces of Her Majesty's army, especially in the matter of artillerymen ;" and have therefore considered in what way the requirements of defence in respect of men may best be met.

In the case of Simon's Bay, the population is so limited and the naval establishments so small that it is improbable that more than a small number of men--perhaps 50 or 60-could be found to aid in the defence; and these, from the nature of their employ-

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