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The place altogether is most unsuited for defence; but if it be decided to fortify it the best plan appears to be to build one battery for four heavy guns on the north east shore of St. Mary's Island, of which two should be behind iron shields, while the other two might be en barbette, and another battery on the south-east shore for five heavy guns, three shielded and two en barbette.
Appendix No. 4.
GAMBIA.
N.E. Battery.
4 10-in. R.M.L. {2
3 64-prs.
Works Armament
2 shielded. 2 barbette.
S.E. Battery.
52
28.500 15,750
3 shielded.
5 10-in. R.M.L.
2 barbette.
£ 34,625 18,900
Works Armament
Fort Bullen.
These would engage any ships attempting to bombard the town, and in conjunction with a battery for five heavy guns, two shield and three en barbette, which might be built 5 10-in. R.M.L. at Barra Point on the opposite bank of the river, would oppose the entrance of hostile 4 64-prs. vessels into the river.
Works Armament
Works Armaments
With regard to defences on the land side the probabilities of a regular attack on this Land defences-- side are very remote. The North-east Battery would command the only approach along the firm ground on the north of the island, and the stockaded defence already existing might be renewed or replaced in stone, which can be obtained locally.
A battery of light field-guns might be kept at Bathurst to assist in the defence, especially against boat attacks.
Fort Bullen, if provided with some bombproof cover and strengthened, will be sufficient for Barra Point.
Additional barrack accommodation for 500 men should be provided at Bathurst. Another way of utilizing the Gambia for naval purposes in time of war would be not to attempt to fortify Bathurst, but to go further up the river, and to close it with works and submarine mines where it is narrower.
The first place at which this could be done would be Mōota Point, about 36 miles from Bathurst, where it is about 2,300 yards wide and 6 fathoms deep, but an establishment would have to be erected up the river, and the situation, even if suitable for coaling purposes or re-fitting vessels, would probably be more unhealthy than Bathurst.
The garrison required for Bathurst would be:-
Infantry
Royal Artillery
Royal Engineers
Total
Men.
1,200
200 10
1,410
2 shielded.
3 barbette.
£ 30,000
.. 19,800
3,000 1,500
Barracks
£ 50,000
The estimated cost of the proposed scheme is 202,0757., exclusive of any torpedo-boats or gun-boats which may be supplied.
April 8, 1881.
(Signed)
J. H. SMITH.
(Signed)
T. L. GALLWEY, Inspector-General of Fortifications.
ASCENSION.
No. 11.
War Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Sir,
War Office, March 15, 1882.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, the accompanying Report by Colonel Philips, R.E., on the defences of the Island of Ascension.
I am to request that the Report may be returned to this Office when done with.
I have, &c. (Signed)
T. L. GALLWEY, Inspector-General of Fortifications.
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ASCENSION.
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