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Second Report, pp. 47-49. Q. 5565-5567.

Second Report, p. 58.

Third Report, pp. 59, 60.

Third Report, pp. 54-58.

Works Armaments:

Roads and telegraphs

Barracks

Third Report, p. 58.

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secure, and should be placed in a state of defence as a coaling and refitting station for your Majesty's ships and a port of refuge for the commercial marine.

5. It ought to be noted that, at a distance of 450 miles from Sierra Leone, France possesses at Dakar, in Senegal, a position from which she could at any time harass British trade and the line of communication with India, and to which, as being the only port in French territory between France and her possessions in the Indian Ocean, she certainly attaches great importance. Although we have no detailed evidence as to the present defences of Dakar which were commenced in 1878, nor any information as to proposed additions, we know that the French Minister for the Navy and Colonies, asking in 1880 for a vote of 980,000 fr. for continuing the works, described Dakar as "a very important position, which it is absolutely necessary should be placed in a state of defence by serious works;" adding that it was "a necessity of the first importance" that it should “be placed in telegraphic communication with the Cape de Verde Islands."

6. According to a Memorandum furnished to us by the War Department, the harbour of Sierra Leone could be placed in a secure state for an expenditure of 175,400., and would require a garrison of 1,600 men. Colonel Philips, R.E., visited Sierra Leone, and presented a Report in March 1882. He inspected the sites of the proposed sea batteries, but, owing to the denseness of the bush to the south of the town, he was not able to examine the positions which would have to be occupied to protect it against an attack by land. The exact nature of these defences would require further consideration. His estimate amounts to 253,000l., including 110,750

a sum of 80,0001. for additional barracks, an item omitted by the War 61,750

500 Office. The two estimates may, therefore, be accepted as representing 80,000 approximately the cost of defending the position. Colonel Philips estimates

the necessary garrison at 1,350 men.

£

253,000

Third Report, pp. 61-71. Digest, p. 608.

Third Report, p. 74.

Third Report, pp. 72–74.

7. The garrison, we think, must be supplied from your Majesty's forces, but might consist largely of coloured troops. No assistance in the shape of volunteers or militia can be looked for in the Colony.

8. The resources of the Settlement are small, and the entire cost of establishing and maintaining the defences must, for the present, fall upon Imperial funds.

The Gambia.

9. The Gambia, which is only 80 miles from Dakar, may appear to be more favourably situated than Sierra Leone for a naval station, but the Reports show that it is not, and cannot be, adapted for this purpose. There are some old batteries at Bathurst, the armament of which, comprising 11 smooth- bore guns and a 13-inch mortar, should, we think, be removed, unless required for protection against the natives.

Ascension.

10. Ascension is a volcanic island about 1,000 miles from Sierra Leone, 680 miles from St. Helena, and 2,380 miles from the Cape of Good Hope. It is 8 miles long and 7 miles broad, and has no harbour, but only a roadstead and landing-place on its west or leeward side. It is entirely under the control of the Admiralty, who keep a small supply of stores there, and have established a sanitarium with barracks on Green Hill, in the interior, at a height of about 2,000 feet, for the benefit of ships cruizing off the West Coast of Africa.

11. There are in Ascension five 64-pounder guns, mounted in weak batteries, two of which are upwards of 1,200 yards from the anchorage. The principal store of powder (25,000 lbs.) is kept in a block-house having walls only 4 feet thick, in an exposed position; and the naval establishment is so placed that a cruizer could destroy it without difficulty. According to a Memorandum furnished to us by the War Department, it would be necessary, in order to prevent an enemy from landing, to mount five heavy guns and two 64-pounders at an expense of 54,000l., and to maintain a garrison of 410 men. Philips, R.E., and Captain Kennedy, R.N., consider as stated in their joint

Colonel

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