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Appendix No. 4.

CYPRUS,

andria comes from the west to the north-west; and it will be seen, on reference to the chart, that a wave may travel the whole length of the Mediterranean, from the east coast of Spain to Alexandria (a distance of about 2,000 miles), with little to arrest its course; and that a perfectly open sea stretches uninterruptedly from Alexandria to Calabria, Sicily, and Malta, a distance of from 800 to 900 miles. As the force of the wave depends on its "fetch," it follows that the comparison as regards Famagusta is much more favourable than Mr. Ormiston assumes. So far as I am able to ascertain from local inquiry, it would appear that experience fully corroborates the theoretical inference, that the force of the sea at Fama- gusta is very much less than at Alexandria. I am, therefore, of opinion that masses weighing less than 20 tons would prove sufficient for the construction of the breakwater. The section I have to suggest Mr. Brown's section. is shown on the accompanying plan.* It is a mound 15 feet wide at top, carried 8 ft. 6 in. above the highest sea level; having an outer slope of 1 to 1, and an inner slope of 14 to 1, formed of masses of rock of various sizes up to 12 or 14 tons, and so arranged that no stone shall be placed in the outer or sea slope and the crest weighing less than 10 tons. An ample supply of such stones may be obtained from the quarries lying immediately outside the north wall of the town.

11. The only winds that can bring in a heavy sea to Famagusta are those ranging from north-east to south-east. As easterly gales are comparatively rare, I have not yet had an opportunity of visiting Famagusta when one has been blowing, and I must postpone committing myself definitely as to the exact size of blocks it may be necessary to use until I have had the opportunity of watching the effects of a heavy sea on this part of the coast. As a successful example of a breakwater similar in construc- tion to that I now propose, I may cite that of the little harbour of Mex, in Alexandria Bay, about 4 miles west of the town, constructed about fifteen years ago. Although in this case the force of the waves is somewhat broken by the outer reef, this breakwater is still exposed to a heavy sea from the north-west, and the blocks of which it is composed do not average more than half the weight of those I propose for Famagusta. Should natural blocks of the size proposed prove sufficient for the purpose, the cost of the breakwater so constructed would be about one-half that of one formed of concrete blocks. Convict labour may be employed in quarrying the stone.

12. With regard to the amount of accommodation provided, it will be seen, on reference to Accommodation in Mr. Ormiston's Report and plan, that with a breakwater 14 miles long there is shelter for eight ships Outer harbour. of war of the largest size, allowing (as he proposes) 1 cables (300 yards) diameter for each mooring. The diagram attached to the Report of the Hydrographer to the Admiralty of the 12th April, 1878, shows moorings for fourteen vessels within the same limits; each mooring having a diameter of 1 cable (200 yards). I beg to submit whether the system followed for several years in the harbour of Alexandria of mooring ships head and stern might not be adopted with advantage at Famagusta. This plan was introduced by the Controller of the port (the late Admiral McKillop) after the completion of the breakwater, and answers perfectly. By this system a great economy of space is effected, as from three to four times the number of vessels can be moored in the same area. Although the largest class of ships of war do not enter the harbour of Alexandria, I have seen Her Majesty's ships "Serapis" and "Invincible" so moored, besides other iron-clads and frigates, and merchant-steamers of the largest class. I venture to submit that in a harbour sheltered as Famagusta would be the extension of the same system to the largest iron-clads is only a question of stronger moorings. By thus mooring vessels and by dredging a portion of the upper part of the outer harbour to the depth shown on the accom- panying plan (No. 2),* accommodation would be provided for twenty-four ships of war of the largest class, whereas if allowed to swing at the distance of 1 cable apart (as proposed by Admiral Hornby), there would be space for not more than eight such vessels. There is additional space for craft of lighter draught in the upper part of the outer harbour and in the proposed inner basin. On the plan (No. 2) is marked the length of breakwater (1,500 yards, average depth, 10 feet), and the extent of dredging required to supply the accommodation above indicated, which, it appears to me, would prove sufficient for a long time to come. If at any future period, however, this should prove inadequate, the breakwater can be extended from time to time, as may be found necessary.

13. Impressed, as I have long been, with the conviction that with the internal development of the Inner harbour. island, and the construction of roads, or other better means of communication, Famagusta will probably eventually become the chief commercial port of Cyprus, and, from its position with regard to the coast of Syria and Caramaria, is admirably situated as a central depôt for the trade of the Levant, I have, in preparing the accompanying plans, shown how, in my opinion, the inner harbour can be so laid out as to provide a coaling station for the navy, a naval and military depôt, and at the same time offer quay accommodation equal in convenience to that provided by the best existing mercantile ports.

14. I concur in the recommendation of Mr. Ormiston, to construct a wharf nearly parallel with the existing eastern rampart, but instead of carrying it as far into the harbour as shown on his plan, it would, in my opinion, be better for the convenience of trade, and on sanitary grounds, to level the ramparts behind the quay, and build the quay wall more in-shore. By this means the waste land lying within the fortifications would be opened up and become available for wharfage or storage ground.

15. On the accompanying plan (No. 1)* I have shown the works which could be carried out at a comparatively small cost, and would provide quay space for two trading steamers or transports at the same time, and would enable ships of war drawing not more than 23 feet of water to coal alongside the wharf; while vessels of heavier draught might be coaled by means of lighters in the outer harbour, in all except the roughest weather.

The works shown on this plan comprise :-

(1.) An entrance channel 300 feet in width, dredged to a minimum depth of 26 feet.

(2.) A basin 800 feet by 500 feet, having an area of 9 acres, dredged to a depth of 24 feet.

(3.) A quay wall 200 yards in length.

I estimate the cost of these works at 49,1957.

[1103]

* Not printed.

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