CAB7-4 — Page 420

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Appendix No. 4.

NEWFOUNDLAND.

Magazine.

Barracks.

the sea, towards the western end of the town, which it commands as well as the harbour. It is 2,000 yards from the Chain Rock, and is now dismantled, having long been given up for defensive purposes.

The magazine belonging to this fort is partly underground, and does not appear to have been used for powder for the last fifty years, as the damp has always been excessive and most injurious to the powder when it was stored there.

The quarters for troops inside this fort are built of wood and are very much decayed; they are at present in the occupation of the police, but could never be rendered fit for troops.

15. Barracks.

No. 5 on Map 2.*

No. 10 on Map 2.*

No. 4 on Map 2.*

fon Map 2.*

d on Map 2.*

Shifting-room.

a on Map 2.*

The new barracks on Signal Hill is a two-storied stone building facing St. George's Pond; it was built in the year 1842, and at the present time is in very good condition and fit for immediate occupa- tion by troops.

It was used as a temporary gaol about five years ago, and underwent some slight alterations in order to render it fit for that purpose; it has also been used as a quarantine establishment, and it is therefore advisable that it should be lime-washed and thoroughly cleaned before reoccupying it at any time. It could be cleaned and rendered fit for occupation in 48 hours.

Quarters conld be provided for 1 officer and about 105 non-commissioned officers and men. There is stabling for two horses adjoining.

16. Houses C and D,

These buildings are situated on the edge of the cliff on the crest of Signal Hill, facing the sea they were originally intended as store-houses; but on the adjacent wooden barracks being reported uninhabitable, the troops were transferred from them in November 1864, and these houses were used as barracks until the year 1870.

The buildings were in one block; two-storied, and built of stone; and although very much exposed they make fairly good barracks. At the present time the flooring and woodwork is in a somewhat bad state in consequence of damp, but it could be repaired in a few weeks and the rooms rendered fit for occupation.

Quarters could be provided here for about 128 non-commissioned officers and men.

17. Old Wooden Barracks.

These barracks are situated on Signal Hill about 70 yards to the northward of the houses C and D. They were built in 1796, but were condemned as barracks in the year 1864, and the troops moved from them to the houses C and D adjoining.

The buildings are now completely in ruins and utterly useless; they would interfere with the fire seaward of any guns which might be mounted on the small hill in rear of them, and as there can be no advantage in allowing them to remain, it is strongly recommended that they should be removed without delay.

18. Armoury.

This is a wooden building on the north side of Signal Hill, having racks fitted up for about 3,000 stand of arms, apparently made for Enfield rifles.

The whole appears to be in very good condition, and only requires cleaning. It is, however, questionable whether such a building is suitable for storing arms, as it is exposed to considerable danger from fire, owing to the fact that there are sergeants' quarters under the same roof, and also another wooden building within a few yards of it. These buildings are now in occupation, and appear to be in good order.

19. New Magazine.

This building was finished in the year 1868, and appears to have been intended as the principal magazine for the batteries on Signal Hill. It is situated on the north-west side of the hill, which has been scarped away to admit of its construction, and is well protected.

Its interior dimensions are: length, 40 feet; breadth, 19 feet; height, 13 feet. It has never been used as a magazine, and although the walls are slightly cracked in places, it appears dry and in a good state for storing powder.

There is a small shifting-room adjoining which was built at the same time and is also in good condition.

20. Old Principal Magazine.

This a small stone building on the summit of Signal Hill, and was intended as the principal magazine until the new one was built in 1868. It is not bomb-proof, and is of slight construction; it was enlarged in the year 1862 to receive the powder sent for the defence of the harbour of St. John's, and is now capable of holding 975 barrels.

This magazine was reported in 1866 as unfit for the reception of powder on account of its slight construction and its proximity to the quarters of the troops (houses C and D) from which it is only about 25 yards distant, and separated by an open wooden paling.

The magazine, with the adjacent buildings, appears to be in good condition.

* Not printed.

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