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Appendix No. 9.

NETHERLANDS.

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new ones at Tanjong Priok, and not by a revival of the maritime position. on these islands will either be left undefended or removed to the new port.

The marine establishments

We now pass to the mainland. Formerly the entrance between the sea piers to the harbour was defended by the Watercastle, but this has long been disclassed. In the same year, 1870, the Citadel in Old Batavia was removed from the list, the ramparts of the town were removed in 1811, but the moat remains, forming one of the canals. The defensive works around Weltewreden, known as Van de Bosch's defensive line, were also removed in 1870; so much for the old works. Below we give those still retained, with the addition of the new Castor battery. Large sums have been expended (1871-76) on the so-called strand batteries, but it is not known how much on each particular work. The object of the strand batteries may be stated to be :-

1. To prevent the bombardment of so much of the town as is within range of ships. They are from half a-mile to a mile in front of even the old town, and, besides, the 3-fathom line is about a mile from the beach.

2. To prevent landings, either on the shore itself or by ascending the channels and stream mouths.

3. To protect the embankments and sluices which enable the surrounding country to be inundated.

Taking the batteries in their order from the west :- Battery Moera Angke, on the stream of that name. respectively about half a-mile and a mile from the mouth.

Further up is a small fort, called Fort Angke,

Battery Moera Baroe, about a mile up the stream of the same name. Batteries Het Loo and Welkomst on the right and left of the pier canal, about half a-mile from the beach, but a mile and a-half from the entrance.

Battery Castor, close to the shore, commanding the entrance of the Moera Emerat. Battery Moera Antijol, about half a-mile from the shore, commanding the mouth of the stream of that name, and also, no doubt, with the other batteries within range, bringing a fire to bear on the new canal railway and road to Tanjong Priok. There are at present no defences erected at Tanjong Priok itself.

The details of trace and the armament of these forts is not known in detail, but there is no reason to suppose that they will be left deficient in guns of new type; we know that rifled guns are plentiful in the fleet, and also that 24-centim. rifled guns have been supplied for the forts at Tjilatjap.

The only other defensive work we know of in Batavia is Fort Prinz Hendrik, a redoubt in Weltewreden. It is a redoubt with casemates, surrounded by more than one line of ditches. Although the details of its present condition are not known-it was disclassed in 1870-it appears probable that it could be so far repaired as to resist a coup de main, and, as it is close to the railway line, that could not be used until it was reduced.

Infantry:

Garrison of Batavia.

The 9th field battalion, Weltewreden. Schutterij, 631 Europeans, 12 natives.

Cavalry:

The whole of the 6th depôt squadron, Rijswijk; One-third of the 5th depôt squadron, Rijswijk.

Artillery:

Part of staff field and mountain batteries;

Field battery, No. 1 company;

Mountain battery, No. 18 company;

Fortress artillery, No. 9 company;

Fortress artillery, No. 13 company.

In connection with the garrison of Batavia it may be mentioned that the half of the 6th, the whole of the 7th, and the whole of the 10th field battalions, are divided in detachments between Meister Cornelis, Cheribon, and Preangar districts.

Naval Guard of Batavia.

In all cases only those ships permanently assigned will be enumerated under their stations :----

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Zeeland," frigate, guard-ship, 28 guns;

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Argus," small screw steamer, 2 guns;

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Bogor," unarmed paddle;

1 armed cutter deficient.

There is also the naval staff of employés and the dockyard workmen; numbers not accurately known.

For probable details of ships and guns see Navy.

The miscellaneous troops from which assistance may be expected have been already stated in the general account of the army, and it only remains to state what assistance from other stations may be expected at Batavia, as the troops are at present posted. The railway at Buitenzorg, &c., which is daily being extended, brings Batavia into rapid communication with what may be called its own sub- sidiary garrisons; but there is a great break in the interior communication with the Samarang and Soearbaia areas. If the command of the sea is lost, no help can be expected from those quarters for several weeks; but, by sea, Samarang is distant one day; Soerabaia, two days, allowing 10 miles per hour as rate of steaming. A force losing the command of the sea would, therefore, encounter the whole available force of Java in from a week to a fortnight in the neighbourhood of Batavia, for the Samarang and Soerabaia systems are rapidly being connected throughout with the inland garrisons.

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