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31. Bearing in mind the large size of the hills, and their rolling curves, also the denseness and height of the vegetation, it is considered that artillery to be permanently mounted for land defence should not be placed in earthworks, which are difficult to construct so as to give both cover inside and proper view outwards, but that guns should be placed on towers, the height of which would afford security from assault, and would also provide magazine accommodation and barracks sufficient for the gunners. They would also overlook slight inequalities of slope, and would form a reduit or support to breastworks for musketry or light guns, to bear on the ground in advance, which should be thrown up at the outbreak of hostilities. As an exception, the spur from Jamaica Hill should be permanently cleared and prepared for musketry and mountain-guns, and connected with the road to Kortright by a new path; the spur west of Wilberforce should also be similarly prepared, and connected with the main road.

32. As the land defences would be opposed only by troops, either unprovided with artillery, or having only the lightest guns, the 20-pounder breech-loading gun is considered as sufficiently heavy for the towers. These latter may have their walls only strong enough to carry the guns on the roof, they may be square in plan, and their doors and windows should have loopholed iron shutters to convert them into defensible barracks.

One tower, as above, is proposed for each of these points, viz., Signal Hill, hill south of Wilber- force, Havelock Hill, and Jamaica Hill.

The necessity for military roads to connect these posts will be referred to hereafter.

Garrison requisite.

33. This will have to be entirely provided by the Imperial Government, as I am informed that no assistance can be expected in the shape of local levies (see letter from Colonial Secretary, Sierra Leone, attached*). If the defences proposed are carried into execution, an infantry force of 1,100, in place of the 1,350 named in the War Office Memorandum, is considered sufficient, when the difficulties attending a land attack are weighed. The numbers allotted for artillery and engineers will not bear reduction. The proposed garrison will therefore be-

Infantry Artillery. Engineers

1+

Total

•

Men.

1,100

230

20

1,350

Appendix No. 4.

SIERRA LEONE.

Barracks.

34. Assuming that the barracks at Tower Hill will lodge 300 men, that 50 men will occupy the proposed Towers, that the sanitarium at Leicester (1,500) now constructing will contain 100 men and that when a war garrison is sent here 100 men (or more) will be lodged in the sea defences or immediate vicinity, it will be requisite to provide new barracks for 800 men. The cost of this is not referred to in the War Office Memorandum.

35. Two sites which seem to combine sanitary considerations in peace time, so important in the climate of Sierra Leone, and the military consideration of being suitably placed to render their occupants always available in time of hostilities, are afforded by the plateau Kortright-Havelock Hill on the east, and the plateau of Wilberforce on the west. These are at heights of about 1,200 feet and 750 feet respectively. The latter, although lower, would receive the full effect of the sea breeze, which sets in each afternoon. Bearing in mind the relative importance of the two sites, it is suggested that 500 men should be lodged at Wilberforce and 300 at Kortright.

36. It can hardly be doubted that each of these sites will prove healthier than Tower Hill Barracks, which, although situated on a hill 370 feet high, has a populous town on the north-east, north, and north-west, and a cemetery on the south, besides being on a lower level than, and much shut in by, the neighbouring heights.

Military Roads.

37. Interior communication along the semi-circle of hills joining the various proposed posts and barracks is a necessity. Very little is required to complete the communication from the town via Kortright to Leicester village; but hence under Leicester Peak to the Wilberforce Road, a new line of road would require to be cut through the bush. A width of 8 feet, roughly levelled and kept clear of bush, would be suitable. In all about 3 miles of road would have to be made.

Field Guns.

38. The two batteries of mountain guns proposed are considered sufficient and most desirable. With troops lodged as proposed, provided with guns suitably distributed, with the communica- tions opened as above, and the important points occupied permanently, no ordinary land attack would succeed.

39. The following is a summary of the proposals now submitted, together with a statement of the approximate cost thereof:-

[1103]

* See Inclosure 2 in No. 5.

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