73
53
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The summit is narrow, being 20 to 25 yards across, and from it there is an uninterrupted view Appendix No. 4. all round.
17. One 64-pounder muzzle-loading gun should be mounted here, on traversing platform, with all- round fire. This would afford an efficient support to the coast defences, and would protect the line of waterpipe inland for a distance of 3,000 yards.
It is considered that any further permanent defences for this spot are unnecessary.
The gun could be taken from Hay's Battery, but the platform, &c., would require to be supplied. 18. At the present time the entire station at Georgetown is at the mercy of a single armoured cruizer, who could (while opposed only by two or three 64-pounders) deliberately shell the establish- ment from the sea, and practically destroy it, together with the engines, cranes, and sheers on the jetty. Unable, as the place is, to prevent this mode of proceeding, it would, however, seem to be able to prevent a party which may have landed from advancing on Georgetown. But while so much damage may be effected without landing, it would be unnecessary, on the part of an enemy, to attempt such a mode of attack, and the main object of the defence would appear to be to bring such a fire of heavy armour-piercing guns on to the deep water within effective range of Georgetown as to render the attempt to bombard from the sea too costly a proceeding to be lightly undertaken; and this would, of course, also serve to prevent a landing being attempted in Comfortless Cove or Clarence Bay.
19. The five 10-inch rifled muzzle-loading guns, as proposed in the War Office Memorandum, would suffice for this purpose, but it is recommended that on account of the narrow front of the site of Fort Thornton, only the three shielded guns should be mounted there, the remaining two barbette guns being mounted at Hay's Battery. Good building stone is obtainable from a quarry situated between these two sites.
20. As already stated, the block-house at Fort Thornton is occupied as a store magazine, and now contains 25,000 lbs. of powder. It appears to be the only available building in which to deposit this powder, the presence of which, in a building not constructed (and in some respects unsuitable) for the purpose, exposed to view on all sides and close to the principal Government buildings, is objection- able even in time of peace.
21. It seems indispensable that a store magazine should be provided for the station; this could be placed either in the reverse (land) slope of Fort Thornton Hill or in the crater behind Fort Hay. Both these sites are well protected from an enemy's fire, but the latter is recommended as being further removed from the most important buildings, without being inconveniently situated for general purposes.
22. With reference to the defence of the water supply near Green Mountain and Dampier's springs and tanks from an attempt by a party landed in North-east Bay to cut the pipes and destroy the tanks, it is considered that no special defensive works are required.
23. The zigzag road (locally termed the "Ramps") which leads to Green Mountain affords so many positions suitable for musketry and the whole line of an enemy's advance, which is most toilsome, is so thoroughly overlooked from the high ground, on which are sites of old batteries at once available for the mountain guns proposed for general service, that an attempt to carry out such an enterprise is hardly to be feared, and if made ought to be easily checked.
24. Garrison requisite. This Report is made at a time when orders have been given by the Admiralty for a considerable reduction of the establishment, which at present numbers about 260 men, but is to be reduced to about 70 men before the new financial year.
There are no inhabitants on the island besides those in the employ of the Admiralty and their families, and it is presumed that the garrison in war time will be furnished by the sailors and marines of the increased establishment necessary in time of hostilities, all of whom are available for working heavy guns, as well as for acting as infantry.
The total of 400 (370 infantry and 30 artillery) given in the War Office Memorandum, with the addition of the 10 Royal Engineers therein proposed, is sufficient, and barrack accommodation for the same already exists.
25. The cost of the proposed defences will be approximately as follows:-
Hay's Battery.
2 10-inch R.M. L. guns (barbette).
ASCENSION.
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Works Armament
Thornton's Battery.
3 10-inch R.M. L. guns (shielded).
Works
Armament
Works (bonnette)
Thickening parapet, &c.
Warren's Battery.
2 64-pounder (mounted).
Store Magazine.
Murdoch Battery.
2 64-pounder (mounted).
Cross Hill.
Works
Armament (gun already on spot)
6 mountain guns ・・
[1103]
1 64-pounder M.L. (barbette).
Green Mountain
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::::
::
::
-
::::
£
10,000 7,200
15,000
10,800
•
50
1,500
150
500
200
Nil.
1,500
U
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