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CEYLON.
defended as possible, and that the most advantageous and economical means of providing such defence Appendix No. 4. would be ensured by stationing at Colombo two small gun-boats of the Alpha" class, carrying 38-ton guns, and two first-class torpedo-boats. The question of sub-marine mines has been considered, but we do not deem them adapted for Colombo. A detailed Memorandum on this subject has been presented by the Naval members of the Commission, and will be found appended.*
25. The cost of these works will be:-
Mutwall Point Battery-
£
£
Works
17,820
Armament
.. 10,755
28,575
Battenberg, alterations and difference of cost between three 9-inch and three 7-inch guns at this
battery
11,085
Two 38-ton gun-boats, at 20,000%.
40,000
Two first class torpedo-boats, at 6,0007.
12,000
Twelve Whitehead torpedoes
3,600
Total Colombo defences
95,260
Trincomalee.
26. As has been already explained, we limit ourselves to submitting for consideration, in reference to Trincomalee, the construction of a work such as could be defended by a battery of artillery, two companies of the line, and 50 torpedo men. A separate Memorandumt as to such a work on Fort Ostenburg has been submitted by Colonel Warren, and if a gun-boat of the "Alpha" class and two second class torpedo-boats be added, the defence of Trincomalee Harbour will, with torpedoes laid across the entrance, have been, in our opinion, rendered as complete as is possible without going to the expense of extensive fortifications, and of stationing an additional regiment and battery of artillery in Ceylon. The cost of these suggestions will be:---
Works at Fort Ostenberg.
One 38-ton gun boat
Two second class torpedo-boats
•
Total Trincomalee works
f་
Colombo Garrison.
::::
£
75,234
20,000
8,000
103,234
The garrison required for the defences of Colombo will be :—
One battery of artillery.
560 infantry.
Thirty-five mounted men.
Fifty-eight gun lascars.
And a sufficient number of men to work the gun and torpedo-boats, if they be provided. The annual cost of forty-five officers and men for this purpose is estimated at 5,500l.
Trincomalee Garrison.
One battery of artillery.
Two companies of infantry.
Fifty trained torpedo men, consisting of a detachment of Royal Engineers and native
boatmen.
Thirty gun lascars.
Twenty-five officers and men for the gun-boat, if provided.
27. As regards assistance derivable from local levies, valuable experience has been gained during the last six months by the spontaneous formation of a volunteer corps in Colombo. The movement was, no doubt, stimulated by the temporary withdrawal of the effective portion of the 102nd Regiment for service at the Cape, but it has as yet achieved a remarkable success, the strength of the corps being now over 1,000, of whom seven-tenths are in Colombo, the remaining companies being in Kandy (distant 72 miles by rail from Colombo), and in Badulla (distant 76 miles by rail plus 75 by road from Colombo). It is as yet too early to speak with confidence of the permanent value of this movement, but it seems probable that an effective strength of from 400 to 500 volunteers might be relied upon for service in Colombo, a number which would increase upon the emergency of war arising, though the efficiency of such increased numbers would greatly depend upon the maintenance at all times of an efficient nucleus of volunteer officers. This force would be available for Colombo, but not for Galle or Trincomalee.
28. The local police force numbers over 1,500 men, of whom a large contingent consists of Malays-a race naturally fond of soldiering, and making efficient soldiers when well commanded. There would be no difficulty, on emergency arising, in drafting 250 or 300 Malays from the police to serve as native auxiliaries, and it is obvious that important assistance might be derived from such a body of men in a tropical climate, where it is desirable to save the European troops as much as possible from exposure to the sun.
*Inclosure G in No. 57.
Inclosure 5 in No. 57.
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