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Appendix No. 4.
BARBADOS.
Fort Charles.
2 10-4-in. R.B.L..
2 64-prs.
Works
Armament ::
Beckwith Battery.
1 104-in. R.B.L.
Works
Armament
Pelican Point.
2 104-in. R.B.L.
2 64-prs.
Works
Armament
St. Mathias Battery.
10-in. R.M.L.
64-prs.
Works
Armament
5 64-prs.
Intrenched Camp.
12 field-guns.
6 rifled howitzers.
Works
Armament
..
380
The only roadstead now frequented by large ships is Carlisle Bay, formed by an inden- tation in the coast about 2,700 yards across from point to point, and extending inwards about 1,000 yards. The depth of water in the bay varies considerably, but at the usual anchorage it is from 16 to 6 fathoms.
There is no naval establishment at Barbados, but Bridgetown forms the military head-quarters for the West India Islands, and affords barrack and hospital accommodation for 1,028 men.
The existing defences are as follows:-(1) Charles Fort, a battery on the projecting spit of land on the south side of the bay 3 feet above the sea. This fort has been recently remodelled to take two 7-inch 7-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns, and two 64-pounder rifled muzzle-loading guns, en burbette. (2) Beckwith and Ricketts Batteries, two small works of obsolete construction. (3) The remains of an old work built in 1705, called St. Anne's Fort, about 700 yards from Charles Fort, occupying a good position, but so encumbered with buildings that it can be no longer considered a work of defence. (4) The remains of Fort George, a work on the highest point in the south of the island, about 2 miles from Carlisle Bay, which was begun on a large scale in 1779, but never finished. There are also the ruins of several small batteries along the coast.
Sea Defences.
Any scheme for the defence of Barbados must necessarily be considered in connection with Carlisle Bay, which is the principal anchorage, and where the chief town and the military establishment are situated.
From its exposed situation and low coast-line it affords few facilities for successful defence, and all that can be done is to mount powerful guns in the most advanced positions. Of these, the most prominent is the point on which Fort Charles stands; it is, however, exposed to fire from seaward over an arc of 270 degrees. Any guns mounted here should therefore be in cupolas, or behind iron shields; the former plan would probably be preferable, and two heavy 10-4-inch rifled breech-loading guns might be mounted in the 10,300 positions now occupied by the 7-inch rifled muzzle-loading guns. The 64-pounders already
mounted might remain.
15,950
£
10,450 4,700
22,220 10,300
£
15,620 11,700
To increase the fire from this point another gun in a cupola should be mounted at Beckwith Battery, and the two works connected by trenches.
Two heavy guns should also be mounted in a battery to be built at Pelican Point on the opposite side of the bay; and as this battery will be on made ground just above sea- level, the guns should be in cupolas.
Finally, to protect the flank of Fort Charles, and deter ships from bombarding the town over the southern point of the bay, and to protect the military establishments, a battery for three heavy guns should be established near St. Mathias Church. These may be rifled muzzle-loading guns en barbette.
It appears unadvisable to provide submarine mines, on account of the depth of water and exposed nature of the anchorage, nor does this roadstead seem a suitable place for the employment of gun-boats or torpedo-boats.
Land Defence.
The land defence of the town and anchorage offers a peculiarly difficult problem to solve satisfactorily, and from the want of detailed maps, a general outline only of what seems to be required can be indicated.
The town of Bridgetown is situated at the end of a valley which divides the island into two portions.
On the east of the town the land rises in a series of steps culminating at a distance of about 4,500 yards in the height on which Fort George stands, 400 feet above the sea.
On the north-east it rises in a similar manner to Gun Hill Signal Station, 680 feet above the sea, and on the north to Rock Pleasant Hill, 5,000 yards off, and 412 feet above the sea; and further on to Grand View, 8,500 yards from the town, and 745 feet high; and these are not the highest points in this direction, as the altitudes continue to increase until the summit is reached at Mount Hillaby, 1,104 feet above the sea.
This formation appears to give no good positions for defensive works to protect the town. Moreover, such a position would be very extensive, and, being devoid of natural advantages, would be difficult to hold; and the flanks would be exposed to attacks from the sea.
The best way, therefore, of treating the case appears to be to provide a secure position for a body of troops to cover the town, from which they might act against any invading force; or in which at the worst they might hold out until relieved.
Such a position apparently offers itself at Highgate, about 2,000 yards to the east of the town. Here there seems to be a natural plateau, not too large in extent, about 240 feet above the sea, and which might be surrounded by four or five small works, from which the troops would command the town, and would be able to issue forth in any 27,500 direction.
£
8,250
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