CAB7-4 — Page 398

Page 398

Page 398

370

Appendix No. 4. outside figure. An additional 5,000 ought to complete all the other works herein contemplated.

g

JAMAICA.

Allowing, as given in the War Office Memorandum,* 10,500l. for submarine mines, that would raise the total to 80,5007. In comparison with the corresponding War Office scheine, it will be seen that practically the same amount of protection is gained for a total cost of about 80,000l., against 255,000Z.

54. We consider that certainly two torpedo-boats should be stationed at the port and one gun-boat armed with a heavy gun, but these two last items would, in cur opinion, properly from a part of the cost of the fleet on the station.

55. Garrison :-

Artillery

Torpedo Corps

General duties

2 garrison batteries (200 men). 50 Royal Engineers. 200 Infantry.

We are decidedly of opinion that the defence should be exclusively confided to British troops, and that no part of it should be entrusted to native or local levies.

56. An electric light would probably be required to ensure the protection of the lines of mines. Its position would have to be determined by experiment.

57. A plan of the defences on the system we propose is attached.†

The guns would be:-

Port Royal Point Battery.

Prince of Wales' Lines

Drunkenman Cay

Little Plum Point

3 7-in, and 2 6-in.

1 7-in.

2 10-in. or 11-in.

2 10-in. or 11-in.

Total 10 guns against 37 in the War Office Memorandum.

(Signed)

Kingston, Jamaica, February 9, 1882.

J. R. MANN, Major-General (late Royal Engineers),

Director of Roads and Surveyor-General.

H. H. GRENFELL, Commander, R.N.

P.S.-The signature of Colonel Hackett appears to be accidentally omitted at the end of this Report, but it will be noticed that he signed the covering letter, and as he is now absent on duty at Honduras the omission cannot be supplied without some delay.-A. M.

No. 110.

War Office Memorandum on the Defence of Jamaica.

THE positions selected in accordance with the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee at Port Royal Point, and at Apostles Battery upon the opposite shore, are no doubt the right positions for the protection of the Naval Yard, Port Royal Harbour, and the approach to them; but it is evident, on reference to the Chart, that they do not secure either the harbour or the yard from bombardment. To effect this it is necessary to move out considerably to the front, and batteries can only be provided in front by building upon some of the islets in advance of the entrance, such as Drunkenman's Cay.

As compared with substructures of a similar nature elsewhere, the foundations of these works would not be very expensive; the cays are a little above high water, and the rock of which they are formed is coral upon limestone, and is probably sufficiently hard to build upon.

But the works themselves would be of an expensive character, as standing alone they must be able not only to withstand, but to oppose successfully, the attack of the heaviest armoured vessels likely to assail them.

The expediency of incurring this expense is dependent upon the damage that a bombardment is likely to inflict upon the Naval Establishment; there is no doubt but that in the absence of advanced works it would reach the yard without much difficulty, and would cause damage, though I am disposed to think that the damage which it is generally supposed such establishments suffer from a bombardment is considerably over- rated.

In any case, the damage to vessels lying in Port Royal Harbour would be much less, and perhaps not sufficient of itself to justify the expense of advanced works. Vessels can disperse within the harbour, and can withdraw 3,000 yards farther away than the ordinary anchorage.

If, then, it be considered only necessary to retain possession of Port Royal Harbour, leaving the vessels therein and the Naval Yard to take their chance, all that need be done is to occupy the present positions at Port Royal Point, revising the armaments and providing shields; to revise the armament at Apostles Battery, inclosing the work, and occupying the hill adjoining with a self-defensible work. This work should be armed with lighter guns to play on ships' decks, and with musketry parapets for infantry sufficient to hold the hill against any force which may be landed below Fort Clarence-now dis- mantled with the intention of seizing the heights above Apostles Battery.

In considering what armament should be provided, it is evident that Jamaica is as

+ Not printed.

* No. 110.

Page 398

Page 398

Page 398