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CYPRUS.

From the northern side of the town a rocky ridge, some 60 feet in height, extends as far as the Appendix No 4. ancient port of Salamis. Although Coralline limestone is found on this ridge, it is composed for the most part of friable sandstone, and furnished building materials for the town. The old quarries are of considerable extent, and could again be utilized in the event of the construction of a breakwater being determined on.

This

Half-a-mile to the south of the town a low mass of sandstone projects seaward, from the extreme point of which a rocky reef, about 4,000 yards in length, stretches away in a north-north-westerly direction, nearly parallel to the general coast-line, from which it is about 1,000 yards distant. reef, at first submerged only at intervals, forms a number of small flat-topped islets, but slightly elevated above the water level; of these, with the exception of two isolated rocks-the "Black and White"—the Islet of Mesanisi is the northernmost. Dipping gradually as it stretches away to the northward from Mesanisi, the reef only shows above water at the Black and White Rocks, and after several times approaching the surface it finally disappears in the general sea bottom at a distance of about 2,500 yards from that islet.

Westward from Mesanisi the ruins of an ancient mole extend towards the citadel of the town for a distance of 1,400 feet, and inclose a port having a superficial area of 116 acres and 50 acres at high and low water respectively, of which about 43 acres only exceed 2 fathoms of depth.

The gradual silting up of the port is attributed to the disintegration of its own shores, and to the inflow of the refuse and sewage of ages from the town, rather than to the in-drift of sand from the rocky coast to the northward; but borings recently conducted have shown that a generally uniform depth of about 24 feet may be again attained by dredging operations.

No Imperial establishments, either naval or military are at the present time maintained at hamagusta, and it seems probable that without preliminary sanitary improvements of a comprehensive, Tough not necessarily of an expensive character, no such occupation could be judiciously entertained. uhe following recommendations, therefore, are based not upon the conditions at present prevailing, but cpon the assumption that the necessary sanitary reform will be effected, that a breakwater will be onstructed upon the reef as far as the 13 feet rock, and that the inner port will be dredged out. By hese improvements a healthy and safe port, with an area of 123 acres of 5 fathoms and upwards in depth, would result.

All the great naval Powers of Europe, Germany alone excepted, possess sea-boards and maintain naval establishments in the Mediterranean. Any fortified port, therefore, in that sea, is liable to be if attacked by ships, the most powerful afloat, whether for attack or defence; consequently it should, defended at all, be made capable of meeting such attacks on fairly even terms.

To mount medium guns, or the smaller description of heavy guns, would be to invite insult, added to which the particular form of enterprize which such guns are calculated to hold in check, viz., the operations of privateers or single cruizers, is one not likely to be prosecuted in such well guarded waters as those of the Mediterranean. The sea defences must therefore be armed with guns of the most powerful description, and they should also be capable of withstanding the battering of equally powerful ordnance.

Passing to a consideration of the works to be recommended, it may be observed that Famagusta presents few natural facilities for defence, and that no stationary defences alone can secure it from bombardment. It cannot, therefore, be made a harbour of refuge in which a vessel could refit in security.

The use of the port may be denied to an enemy by the erection of a work on the Quarry Ridge for three 12-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 43 tons, shielded, three 104-inch rifled breech- Works loading guns of 26 tons in cupolas, and six medium guns; three of the latter to sweep the submarine mine-field, and three to sweep the ridge and surrounding country towards Salamis.

A work on Oxonisi Islet for six 12-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 43 tons, shielded, and four 10·4-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 26 tons in strengthened cupolas.

A work at Upper Varoshia for three 10-4-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 26 tons in cupolas, and 4 medium guns; and two 104-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 26 tons should be mounted on the old lines to command the anchorage.

Works

70,440

Armament

42,400

112,840

Works

..

120,000

Armament

58,000

178,000

39,960

Armament

15,700

55,660

Works

14,400

Armament

9,000

23,400

Mines

5,120

Boats

4,500

Storehouses

4,500

14,120

} 0,000

Submarine mines extending from the end of the breakwater to the coast line opposite, and two torpedo launches would complete the defences on the sea side.

launches

It may be here remarked that a revolving turret erected on the end of the breakwater for two 12-inch rifled breech-loading guns of 43 tons would add greatly to the power of the general Torpedo defence, but not being deemed essential, and being a structure of a very costly nature, it is not now recommended.

Land Defences.

Armament

With respect to the defences required to guard against the capture of the port from the landward side, there are no sufficiently detailed plans available to enable a precise opinion to be formed upon the matter. It appears, however, that at least three detached self-defensible forts would be required. Works They would have to be provided with deep well-flanked ditches, plenty of bomb-proof accommodation, mount a powerful armament, and in short be works of such strength as to defy any form of attack except regular siege.

With respect to the garrison, 640 men would be required for the coast batteries, 1,200 men for Garrison.

3 I [1108]

£ 104,000 47,600

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