ST. HELENA. — INSUFFIENCT OF ITS DEFENCES. 95 



Sailing vessels approaching the Jamestown anchorage are obliged, by reason of the lee currents, 

 to pass to the easfiuard of the island, and haul close around Sugar-loaf point; and as soon as 

 they luff under the lee of this they become partially becalmed, and are at once exposed to the 

 guns of a very heavy battery, called "Prince Kupert's Line;" and from thence all the way to 

 the anchorage is a succession of forts, well provided with heavy artillery. On the westward, 

 the fortifications are less strong, because, as the current is constantly setting in tliat direction, 

 it is exceedingly difficult, and at times impossible, for a sailing vessel to beat up to the town ; 

 hence there are but two small batteries on that side, which it would not be difficult to silence. 

 But it is easy to see how, with the aid of steam, a moderate land and naval force might now 

 attack the island with strong probabilities of success. But the approach should be from the 

 west. Just under the lee of "West Point," the western extremity of the island, the water is 

 always smooth, and by the aid of steam, the forces might all be concentrated there. 



A close line of battle ahead might be formed, securing the armed sailing vessels as closely as 

 possible to the steamers, the armed ships in tow, and the troop ships lashed to the port quarters 

 of the steamers. The land troops might be formed into two divisions, and supplied with light 

 artillery, for forcing the gates of the town, and for covering the advance of the attacking columns 

 up the steep roads which lead into the coimtry and to the rear of the batteries on the cliffs. The 

 boats should be lowered and secured to the port sides of the troop ships, ready for receiving and 

 landing the soldiers, the two divisions of which should be destined for different points. 



These arrangements having been made, and the ships cleared for action, with springs from 

 both quarters, so as to spring to starboard or port, as might be necessary, the whole flotilla 

 might be moved close to West Point, and thence trace the shore along at the distance of about 

 a quarter of a mile, avoiding the shoal called "Long Ledge" on the charts, and keej^ing as 

 close as possible under "Ladder Hill," on which there is a heavy battery, until it opened the 

 town and anchored with springs in line of battle, and extending along the whole front of the 

 road. On giving the starboard broadside, the ships might be sprung to port or starboard, as 

 winds' or currents made necessary, remembering, however, that vessels do not always swing to 

 the wind in this road. 



Meantime one division of the troops might keep to the eastward, and land at the quay, and 

 thence marching along the causeway, force the gates with their artillery ; while the other, 

 avoiding the line of fire of the ships, might pass to the westward of it, and tracing the shore 

 under "Ladder Hill," land at the west flank of the water battery which covers the town front. 

 The town once gained, the troops might at once secure the summits of the roads leading into the 

 country, as guns temporarily mounted on the adjoining hills would effectually command the 

 town and harbor. 



The only real obstacle to a force thus approaching from the luest, by steam, would be the strong 

 water battery, commanding the whole extent of the little bay which forms the harbor. This, 

 of course, would have to be silenced before there would be any chance of capturing the place; 

 but, then, it must be remembered that the fire of the whole attacking force could be concentrated 

 on this spot, if it approached from the west by steam. In such an approach, it could keep close 

 to the shore, which is bold ; and such is the elevated position of the principal forts, that their 

 guns could not be sufficiently depressed to bear upon steamers coming from the westward. 



These remarks were made by the Commodore, simply as illustrating the great changes 

 wrought by the introduction of steam into naval warfare. In the absence of a resisting naval 



