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74
Appendix No. 4,
ASCENSION.
Total-
Works Armament
Total
(Signed)
January 18, 1882.
::
::
:
£
27,200
19,700
46,900
G. PHILIPS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Engineers, and Colonel, Commanding Royal Engineer, St. Helena.
I fully concur in the views embodied in this Report.
The works on Thornton and Hay's Hill, if armed with the heavy guns proposed, would, I consider, effectually guard the Government stores at Ascension from any ordinary direct attack.
A. KENNEDY, Captain, H.M.S.
(Signed)
Briton."
No. 12.
Fort Thornton.
5 10-in. R.M.L. guns.
•
2 64-pr. guns.
Works
Armament
Cross Hill.
Works
Green Battery.
Works
War Office Memorandum on the Defence of Ascension.
THIS small volcanic island was first occupied by the English in 1815.
It contains no harbour, but possesses a roadstead and landing-place on the leeward side of the island.
The island is entirely under the control of the Admiralty, who maintain a station here for the benefit of the West Coast squadron.
The stores and principal buildings are near the landing-place, in Clarence Bay.
The Sanitarium is situated on the highest part of the island, named the Green Mountain, and here also are the springs from which the water-supply is conducted in pipes to Clarence Bay.
The only existing work of defence is a small battery, called Fort Thornton, 70 feet above the sea, on the south-west side of Clarence Day, armed with some medium rifled guns.
With regard to the defence of the island, it is to be observed that landing is prac- ticable only at four points: Clarence Bay, Comfortless Cove, English Bay, and North-East Bay; but the rugged features of the intervening country would render an advance from the two latter bays extremely difficult. It does not, therefore, appear necessary to establish any permanent defences near them.
Comfortless Cove, though affording a more secure landing-place than Clarence Bay, is only 2,000 yards from Fort Thornton, and is commanded by it. Any steps taken to defend Clarence Bay would be sufficient for the defence of this point also.
While there is not much to protect here, yet it is desirable to possess some means of preventing a hostile vessel lying close in, and landing a party, under the fire of her guns, to destroy the stores and jetty. This may be attained by remodelling Fort Thornton to 28,600 receive five heavy guns, of which three should be shielded. The work should also contain 18,900 two 64-pounders, to flank the beach.
£
3,000
In support of this work, and to prevent its being turned and commanded from the rear, a small redoubt should be made on the top of Cross Hill (870 feet), which is about 1,500 yards in rear.
It now remains to protect the water-supply, the whole of which comes from Green
2,000 Mountain.
£
Field guns
1,500
As the barracks at the Sanitarium are about 2,000 feet above the sea-level (the top of the peak being 2,820), and are approached by a zigzagged road, it is probable that a few breastworks for musketry, thrown up at favourable places, will render the position quite secure.
Not only the springs, but almost the whole line of pipes, will then be commanded, either from Green Mountain or from Cross Hill.
Six light field-guns should be provided for general service. The garrison required would be—
Infantry
Royal Artillery
Royal Engineers
Total
*
The cost of the proposed defences would be-
Works Armament
::
:::
•
:::
Men.
370
30
10
410
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April 9, 1881.
Total
••
:
Page 102
33,600
20,400
54,000
(Signed)
J. H. SMITH.
(Signed)
T. L. GALLWEY, Inspector-General of Fortifications.
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