Page 182
Appendix No. 4.
PERIM.
Artillery---
22
Page 182
154
To man the guns in battery
field and machine guns
130 men, of whom 40 might be infantry. 10
20
Total artillery, 1 battery
Engineers, submarine mines
21
"1
Men.
100
*
20
•
Infantry-
For guns
除
Lighthouse position..
Flagstaff
Total infantry
Total garrison.
:::
•
:::
•
Men,
50 100
80
230
•
350
Barracks.
Roads.
Summary..
Cost.
There is already accommodation for 50 men, and, as a guard-room should be provided in the battery, which, in time of war, would contain say 50 men, and also a guard-house at Fisherman's Bay to contain 20 men, barracks would be required for 230 men.
The best position for these barracks would appear to be at the point C, or Flagstaff Hill, the highest ground in the island, 214 feet above the sea, about 800 yards from the lighthouse, and 1,600 yards from the proposed battery at Lee Point.
They should be placed in an inclosure secure against a coup de main, so as to guard against any approach from Azalea Bay. Their cost, as they would be principally intended for native troops, should not exceed 12,0007.
The existing track passing by this point from the lighthouse to Lee Point should be widened and made available for the movement of light field guns. A road should also be made from the barracks to the point between Fisherman's and James' Bays.
To summarize :-It is proposed to construct a battery on Lee Point, to mount six 10-4-inch breech-loading rifled guns behind shields, and four 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns;
To improve defences of defensible barrack and lighthouse;
To form emplacements for light guns and machine guns at the point D west of the lighthouse ;
To form rifle pits and musketry screens at E to the east of the lighthouse;
To build a barrack for 230 men surrounded by a defensible inclosure on Flagstaff Hill (C);
To improve the roads running from lighthouse by flagstaff to Lee Point, and from Old Fort to lighthouse, and to Flagstaff Hill;
To build guard-house near ruins of Old Fort, for protection of condensing apparatus. The cost, estimated approximately, is :-
Battery
•
..
·
Armament (including two light field guns and two machine guns) Submarine mines
Barracks (for 230 men)
Improvement to defensible barracks
Guard-room (Fisherman's Bay)
Improvement of roads
Total
•
£
40,000
4
30,000
4,000
12,000
500
500
1,000
88,000
Artillery Engineers Infantry
04
་ ་
+
Total
•
GARRISON.
•
Men.
100
20
230
350
In conclusion, I would mention that it would be very advisable to have the coral patches in the centre of the northern part of the harbour removed, and proper landing-places made in Fisherman's and James' Bays.
Inclosed are two pen-and-ink sketches by Lieutenant W. Russell, R.E., one showing the entrance to the harbour from the point II, the other of the interior of the harbour from the point K, at the head of Murray Bay.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. CROSSMAN, Colonel, R.E.
Inclosure 3 in No. 51.
Telegram from London to Resident, Aden, dated May 1, 1882.
PLEASE request Colonel Crossman to report on question of fortifying Perim.
* Not printed.
Page 182
Page 182
Page 182
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.