CAB7-4 — Page 446

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Appendix No. 4.

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

In support of Yorke Point Battery two more heavy guns should be mounted at Ordnance Point; they would probably also have to be behind shields.

Ordnance Point Battery.

2 10-in. R.M.L.

2 64-prs.

£

Works

20,880

Armament

8,100

Submarine mines-

Submarine mines should also be provided to bar the passage.

Boats

2,560

Buildings

2,500

Stores

3,600

Navy Point Battery. (Diminished.)

2 10-in. R.M.L.

3 64-prs.

Works

Armament

Works

Armament

The Lines. (As before.)

East Battery.

3 10-in. R.M.L.

2 64-prs.

Works

Armament

•

盛唐

Horse Point Battery.

3 10-in. R.M.L.

£ 23,520 8,550

£

If these works at Yorke and Ordnance Points be constructed, that at Navy Point might be much reduced, though it would not be advisable to do away with it altogether. It might mount two heavy guns instead of five.

The lines across the peninsula should be constructed in any case.

It still remains possible to bombard Stanley Harbour from the open sea over the low 10,000 ground to the east of Whalebone Cove, and from a position near the entrance to Port 1,350 Harriet, and to guard against this it will be necessary to establish batteries of two or three

heavy guns to fire over these waters.

£

31,680 11,700

The best sites for them are not very clear, but one might, perhaps, be put on the small rocky peninsula which forms the east end of the Murray Heights, and the other at Horse Point, from which latter position the entrance to Port Harriet would be com- manded,

Land Defence.

2 64-prs.

Works

Armament

4 64-prs.

Sapper Hill Fort.

Works Armament

3 64-prs.

Works

Armament

Blanco Fort,

£

31,680 11,700

The problem of the land defence presents more difficulties than that against naval attack. It would seem as if the town and anchorage may be approached in so many directions that, except by a large expenditure on works and a considerable garrison, it would be impracticable to protect them efficiently, but an examination of the ground on the spot may discover favourable positions for defensive works necessitating a smaller number than is anticipated.

If, however, this be not the case, in order to avoid the construction of extensive works, it would be better to depend on the works already proposed, on a small moveable force with light artillery, and on two additional works which seem necessary for the land defence in any case.

One of these would be on Sapper Hill to the south of the town of Stanley. This would give protection to the town and guard against a bombardment of the dockyard. establishment across Stanley Harbour. It would also prevent a landing being made in 8,000 Port Harriet. 1,800

£

£

•

•

Barracks (defensible), 100,0007. Moveable armaments, 4,5007.

8,000

1,350

The other would be on the high ground above Blanco Beach on the north shore of Hearnden Water. It would protect the flank of the line across Navy Peninsula, and would form a bridge head for a force operating on the north shore of Port William.

The military establishments, built in a defensible form, should be concentrated on the ground between Ordnance and Engineer Points, which being a central position, the garrison would be enabled to move out in any direction required.

The Falkland Islands are full of excellent harbours which it would be impossible to defend by land forces.

It would, however, seem desirable to keep a small naval force here for their general protection, and to reduce the probability of one of them being made the base of operations for a land attack against Stanley.

The garrison required would be—

Infantry

Royal Artillery

Royal Engineers

Total

The estimated cost is approximately as follows: -

:::

:

Men.

2,000

300

50

2,350

To deny the harbour to an enemy To protect it from bombardment

April 12, 1881.

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£

139,120 375,140

(Signed)

J. H. SMITH,

(Signed)

T. L. GALLWEY,

Inspector-General of Fortifications.

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