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Appendix No. 4. vening traverse afforded by No. 3 gun, I consider it not only unobjectionable that the fire of No. 4

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This,

gun at its right extreme training should pass over the lower 7-inch guns, but allowable. indeed, used to be aimed at in the shape of the fausse-braye, and, for a modern example, I need but refer to the Antwerp works, where the principle is carried into effect.

Battery Blakang Mati South.

14. The scheme proposed to remove the dead angle off Terumbo Sileger without the construction of a fresh battery at Blakang Mati South is as much as the existing batteries will admit of, but I cannot appreciate it as a satisfactory substitute, and, looking to the opinion expressed by the authors in paragraph 5 of their Report, I still urge the construction of this new work (armed with the 7-ton guns from Tanjong Katong and with an armour-piercing gun) for the following

reasons --

(a.) That the command of Fort Siloso and its distance are too great for any strengthening of its artillery to be of much effect (vide paragraphı 12 ante).

(b.) That, leaving the 64-pounder out of account, as its effective range is too short, we have still only three guns bearing on the zone of attack; that one of these, No. 6, cannot fire when the enemy, as he probably will do (vide paragraph 53), lies to the east of a line to Middle Island, so that two guns only can be depended on; and that these guns fire at a long range and from an elevation which will cause the projectiles to have a rapid angle of descent.

(c.) That the enemy can lie under Blakang Mati South or under Pulo Sikookur without being seen from Blakang Mati East, which could be then bombarded by high angle fire.

(d) That, granting the disadvantageous nature of Blakang Mati for landing, and the subsequent difficulties which a landed force would experience, that it would be a great thing to be in a position to prevent such landing by guns bearing on a strip which is now undefended and defiladed by the sea eliffs.

(e.) That the position itself is a good one for a battery; that it will close the gap between Forts Siloso and Blakang Mati East; and that consequently all the advantages which collateral works and concentrated fire carry with them will be gained thereby.

(f) That the position is no more isolated than Tanjong Katong, or even Blakang Mati East itself, and that being but 1,000 yards distant from the latter battery can be supported by light guns- mounted on the right flank thereof.

(g.) That the expense involved, say, as a maximum, 1,8007. per gun, or 7,2001, is little, if at all, more than that necessary to carry out the various alterations proposed to meet with the same object, which object, however, would be only partially obtained, and that in a less efficient manner.

Blakang Mati East.

15. Given this new battery, the only modification which I would make on my Report, after duly considering these papers, would be the substitution of a 12-ton gun in No. 1 emplacement and of a 7-inch gun in No. 6 emplacement, each with the training proposed. The two armour-piercing guns suggested in these papers for the right flank and No. 6 would take the place of Nos. 4 and 5 7-inch guns, which are not sufficiently powerful for the work they have to perform (vide paragraph 62 of my Report). I would mount the two available 64-pounders on the right flank, together with the other proposed in paragraph 80. This gun may, moreover, be given an increased training to bear on Mount Serapong where, with No. 6 gun in addition, the mount would be untenable, if captured, without the aid of the rifled howitzer proposed.

Mount Serapong Redoubt.

16. This rifled howitzer would be more usefully employed in Mount Serapong Redoubt, as, in case of emergency, it could easily be spiked, as could also the 13-inch mortars which I recom- mended for this work, but to which Major Hannen has taken exception. I considered that they would give to the normal garrison of the work the means of assisting in the general defence, as from that height (300 feet) shells could be thrown over 3,000 yards, and would seriously incommode an enemy's vessels, whether attacking the castern entrance or standing off to the south of Blakang Mati.

Mount Palmer Battery.

17. With respect to this battery, I do not differ much from the authors of these papers, except so far that I recommend emplacements Nos. 1 and 5 to be provided with armour-piercing guns, the other emplacements being kept as they are, the 7-inch guns being here quite efficient. The zones of fire may be, with advantage, slightly increased, as recommended in these papers, as far as a straight parapet and guns firing en barbette will allow; otherwise, I see no necessity for carrying out any alterations other than those proposed by me, and which will cost a trifling sum to execute, my proposal giving three 7-inch and two 12-ton guns, against two 7-inch and three 12-ton guns in these papers. I concur in the provision of the 64-pounder (f), but do not consider that referred to in paragraph 2 necessary, as the interval referred to will be filled by means of defence.

Floating Defences.

18. I beg to refer to previous Memorandum by me as to the non-necessity of floating defences

H. E. MCCALLUM, Captain, R.E.

January 15, 1881.

(Signed)

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