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Appendix No. 4.

SINGAPORE. Passir Panjang.

An excellent site for a battery on the opposite side of the western entrance is found at Passir Panjang, near Berlayer Point, and here should be constructed, as proposed by the Committee, a work to mount three 10-inch guns and two 64-pounders, the heavy guns to bear upon the approaches by sea, and the lighter guns to flank the line of land defences towards the north-western spur of Mount Faber. In addition, another 64-pounder should 3 10-in. guns.

3 64-pra. be placed somewhat in rear of the battery to bear on the mine-field.

This battery being on the extreme left of the land defences (to be treated of hereafter), Cost- should be of good profile on the right flank and rear, should be made secure against assault, and be capable of containing a garrison of 100 men in addition to the gun detachments.

Battery Armament

15,000

10,795

25,795

Gun detachments, 100 men.

Eastern Entrance.

For the battery at Blakang Mati East the Committee propose an armament of two 7-inch guns, one 64-pounder, two armour-piercing guns, and one rifled Howitzer; while in the War Office Memorandum* it is proposed to mount here five 10-inch guns and one 64-pounder.

Considering the important position of this battery, it would appear desirable to provide the heavier armament; to do so, it will be necessary to extend the work to the left, as, owing to the cliff having given way on the right, No. 1 gun will have to be

removed.

The gun on the extreme right should have a range wide enough to allow of its firing round to the south and south-east of Blakang Mati Island.

The further work required to complete this battery is described in the following extract from Captain McCallum's Reports above referred to :----

"77. To prevent the work being taken by a rush, and, at the same time, to thoroughly command the slopes with musketry fire, I would propose that a masonry escarp wall be built from the present bottom of the ditch, and be provided with a chemin des rondes, from which a full view of the slope could be obtained. The cutting down of the present parapet referred to above would supply earth for the backing of this wall, and an opportunity will also be afforded to modify the exterior slopes of the work, which experience has shown, if very long, do not well stand the heavy rains of Singapore. The covering screen of bamboos could be transplanted to the foot of the exterior slope on the reverse of the tread of the chemin des rondes. The wall should be traced independently of the parapets, so that a proper flanking fire can be brought to bear throughout with no dead angle in the ditch. It should ran for about another 120 feet, in continuation of the present right flank, to where the spur meets the valley falling to the mangrove swamp behind.

"78. On the left flank, the present long musketry parapet should be done away with (see p. 9), and the work made defensible by the fire from the chemin des rondes, falling at a uniform gradient from the 64-pounder emplacement to the entrance at the gorge. This entails the construction of a high escarp wall at the left rear corner, which is rendered necessary by the formation of the northern limb of the hill. This should be levelled off for some feet to defilade the battery, and present a glacis-like front before the left flank. A portion may remain unexcavated, however, and on it may be constructed a small closed outwork with good command to sweep the steep valley separating the hill from the Serapong ridge with musketry fire. By the arrangements just proposed, the defence of the work will be much more self-contained than by the existing covered way and shooting parapets.

79. The new gorge, from the termination of the right flank escarp to the left gorge chemin des rondes, being unexposed to artillery fire, may be closed by a loopholed wall of suitable trace preceded by a good ditch.

"80. In the right flank parapet extension should be constructed an emplacement for the additional 64-pounder. This gun should be upon "D" racers (as at Mount Palmer, from which it comes). It will co-operate with the present right 64-pounder in sweeping the bay to the south-referred to in my Report on this battery-and in supporting Battery Blakang Mati South, and it will also bring a fire to bear over the island itself.

Blakang Mati East Battery.

5 10-in. guns. 1 64-pr.

Cost--

Battery Armament

Gun detachments, 100 men.

£

8,0:0

17,925

25,925

"81. The existing gorge parapet need not be disturbed, as it will act as a parados, The gorge parapet must be raised. covering on one side gun emplacements, and, on the other, a main magazine, laboratory, and stores, which may be conveniently constructed in the additional space enclosed. Thus, as recommended for Mount Siloso, the present ammunition stores may be strengthened, and converted into excellent expense magazines and bombproofs. A well may be sunk in the terreplein, where also may be constructed the temporary war barracks for the garrison. A peace barrack may be built on the northern glacis clear of the line of fire between the main parapet and the outwork.

"82. In time of war, the whole front of this and the other works should be well covered with deep mangrove abatis, cut in the swamps in their neighbourhood."

The redoubt on Mount Serapong, which is at present very small and of weak con- struction, should be considerably enlarged and made much stronger, and armed with three 40-pounder guns of position.

Mat sheds should be provided for its garrison in time of war, and tanks for water arranged so as to be filled by the rainfall should be supplied.

Serapong Redoubt.

* No. 77.

[1103]

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Inclosure 15 in No. 74.

3 X

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