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Appendix No. 4.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Fort on Roman Rocks

native to other new works.

The

randum, and as near as possible to the Whittle Beacon, which is just over the Spaniard Rock. most suitable spot would seem to be about 50 yards to the left front of the beacon, retired from the beach about 600 yards. Since a loss of scope of fire would be occasioned by retiring it so far, it should be armed with guns of at least 18 tons, to counterbalance this disadvantage. But should this objection be considered insurmountable, the battery might be placed à fleur d'eau, the guns being shielded, and an additional 6-inch gun introduced for flank defence, firing along the beach.

16. The Committee are of opinion that the necessity for erecting any other new works whatever suggested as an alter for the protection of Simon's Bay would be entirely obviated by the construction of an iron-clad tower, heavily armed, upon the cluster of rocks called the Roman Rocks, where the lighthouse now stands, and which have been carefully examined and pronounced to be quite suitable for such a purpose. this case, the recommendation contained in the ensuing paragraph would not need to be carried out, in so far as relates to that harbour.

Provision of iron-clad vessels for coast defence.

Provision of torpedo- boats.

Strength of Imperial

garrison recom-

mended.

Local forces of Cape Town district.

In

17. The Committee consider that a most valuable adjunct to the defence of Table Bay and of Simon's Bay would be, in each case, the provision of a coast-defence iron-clad vessel. should be especially designed to resist an attack by boarding, and a single-turret ship, of moderate Such a vessel freeboard and light draught of water, mounting one heavy gun, would seem to be best adapted for the intended service, since, when the hatches are closed and the crew retire inside the turret, they can defy boarders and sweep the deck of their ship with small arms. The iron-clad stationed at Table Bay might, perhaps, be manned by colonial naval volunteers, and even be purchased by the Colony for the protection of so important a Customs port as Cape Town. Such a vessel would be of great use to support either of the new flanking works proposed there, or it might act in the centre between them, and assist in keeping an enemy far enough off to prevent his reaching the different buildings and establishments with his fire.

Similarly, the proposed new flanking batteries at Simon's Bay (at Elsie's Peak and near the Spaniard Rock) might be able, if supported by an iron-clad stationed between them, more effectually to close that bay against a hostile squadron.

18. Two or three swift torpedo-boats (such as, according to official Reports, were found very efficacious against attacking squadrons in the course of the American civil war, 1861-65) might easily be maintained at a small expense; the original cost of such vessels would not be great, and these also might be placed in charge of colonial volunteers.

19. In the event of the emergency arising to meet the exigencies of which this Committee has been called upon to report as to the measures proper to be adopted, it is their opinion that the Imperial garrison of the entire Cape Peninsula should on no account be less than—

Two battalions of infantry (complete).

Two batteries of Royal (garrison) Artillery (complete).

One company of Royal Engineers.

Each battalion should have a small number of mounted infantry attached to it, and with such a force, aided by local guides and scouts, who might easily be obtained from the burghers of the district, the Committee are of opinion that the presence in the peninsula of the whole or of any portion of a regiment of regular cavalry may be dispensed with as of doubtful advantage. Neither would the permanent maintenance there of a half field battery seem necessary, particularly if defence against attack by sea is alone contemplated, and the works before mentioned for the provision of such defence are completed, since the erection of the necessary quarters would involve a large outlay of money, and there might be a difficulty about supplying it at all times with water. It is suggested, as a preferable plan, that a battery of field-guns of the newest and most powerful type, fully equipped with stores and harness, might be kept at Wynberg, as in a central position, and that for the same a certain number of trained drivers should be attached to one of the garrison batteries Royal Artillery. This arrangement would obviate the objection to the expense of keeping horses, which could be hired, and gun teams improvised for taking the battery about the peninsula if required. The fact that the horses of this country are remarkably docile and handy for harness, and could so be employed without much previous training, would be in favour of such an arrangement.

The foregoing estimate of Imperial troops required is quite irrespective of any support that can be counted upon from the local volunteer force of the district, who, under existing circumstances, might at any time be unable to appear in their proper numbers-perhaps not at all-in consequence of their services being required elsewhere for the defence of the Colony, in the case of a native war or insurrec- tion. In either of these cases, indeed, the amount of Imperial troops would have to be largely increased. But it should be remarked that this difficulty as to the employment of local volunteers would be, to a great extent, removed by the alteration proposed in the Volunteer Act, the effect of which would be to render these forces liable to service as volunteers only in their own districts, though they would probably continue liable to service without such districts in the capacity of burghers.

20. Leaving out of account the Cadet corps and the Beaufort West Rifles, who are included in the "Local Forces, Cape Town District," these forces comprise :-

1 troop Cavalry

1 battery Artillery

Corps of Engineers..

Battalion of Infantry

Total, by latest returns

··

·

Rank and File.

35

81

138

451

705

Value of volunteer artillery,

This number would probably, in time of war with any maritime Power, be increased without difficulty, as Cape Town always contains a large number of discharged soldiers and others who have seen service in the frontier wars.

21. The Committee are of opinion that the greatest possible development should be given to the volunteer artillery, described as an efficient corps," even to the extent of increasing its numbers, should

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