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Sir,

No. 119.

Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to Colonial Office.

13, Delahay Street, October 15, 1880.

I AM directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to inform you that they have carefully considered the question referred to them in your letter of the 31st January last,* respecting the proposed construction of a graving dock at St. John's, Newfoundland, towards the expense of which the Imperial Government is asked to contribute 50,0007.

I am to acquaint you, in reply, that the Royal Commission see no reason for dissenting from the opinion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as expressed in their letters to you of the 23rd Julyf and the 9th September, 1879, and are therefore not prepared to recommend a contribution for this purpose from Imperial funds.

Appendix No. 4.

NEWFOUNDLAND.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

HERBERT JEKYLL.

No. 120.

War Office Memorandum on the Defence of St. John's, Newfoundland.

THE harbour of St. John's is situated in the eastern side of the large peninsula, which is nearly cut off from the mainland of Newfoundland by Trinity and Placentia Bays. St. John's, the capital of the island, is almost the only spot where there is a resident population in any number.

The country generally is rocky and uncultivated, the inhabitants supporting them- selves mainly on the produce of their fishing.

The harbour is about 2,000 yards long and 600 yards broad, with varying depths up to 17 fathoms. It is surrounded by steep hills, and is entered by a channel about 1,000 yards in length, and only 450 yards wide at the widest part. At one point, opposite Chain Rock, the effective channel for large ships is narrowed to a little over 100 yards.

There is no naval establishment.

Formerly, barrack accommodation existed for over 500 men, but all the War Department properties, both barracks and lands, have been handed over to the Colonial Government.

The existing defences consist of several batteries bearing on the entrance, of which Waldegrave, Chain Rock, and Queen's Batteries, on the north side, and Fort Amherst on the south side, were re-armed in 1863 with 32-pounder and 68-pounder smooth-bore guns; three 32-pounders were also mounted on the remains of Fort William, from whence they enfilade the entrance.

On Signal Hill, the most commanding ground on the north side, 520 feet above the sea, are the remains of works which were commenced in 1810 with the intention of constructing a citadel, but which were never finished. About one-half the barracks are on this hill, the remainder being for the most part above the town on the site of Fort Townshend.

In 1879, during the apprehension of a war with Russia, two medium rifled guns were lent to the Newfoundland Government by the Dominion of Canada for the defence of St. John's.

Proposed Defences.

The chief points to be noted with reference to. the defence against naval attack are, first, the extreme narrowness of the entrance, which should be made absolutely secure against any attempt of hostile ships to pass through it; and second, the height and steepness of the hills between the harbour and the sea; these, while traversing the harbour from view from seawards at most points, afford few good positions for batteries intended to keep off ships that may attempt to bombard by firing down the entrance.

With regard to the land defence, the excellence of the position around Signal Hill is remarked on by the Newfoundland Defence Commission in their Report dated the 19th October, 1859. It is commanded, however, at a range of 1,000 yards by the hills on the south side of the entrance.

It may here be remarked that on the three several occasions on which St. John's was attacked and captured, the attack was made by landing a force in one of the bays in the vicinity and approaching the town from the land side.

Sea Defence.

In view of the strength of the entrance, and of the difficulties of bombarding, the 10-inch rifled muzzle-loader would appear to be a sufficiently powerful gun for use in this place.

* No. 116.

[1103]

Inclosure 4 in No. 116.

Inclosure 8 in No. 116.

5 L

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