246 ON THE DEFENCES OF PORT JACKSON, 



It is therefore requisite : 



I. To consider carefully the strategical field of Port Jackson 

 with regard to Defensive and Offensive operations, and to make a 

 topographical examination of all the positions to be commanded 

 or covered. 



II. To fix upon the best positions for our forts and batteries 

 strategically, and with regard to communication with head- 

 quarters. 



III. To determine the number and strength of our batteries, 

 so that they may command every place where a vessel could lay 

 to, to shell the city, taking into consideration the amount of 

 Military Forces at our disposal, the assistance we may derive 

 from Ships of Her Majesty's Navy, and the outlay necessary for 

 the completion of the works. 



IY. To determine the construction necessary for our forts 

 and batteries, in order to make them of sufficient strength and 

 power to resist any attack made upon them by sea or by land, 

 considering the improved ordnance likely to be used against us, 

 and to make these works as extensive as may be required by 

 their particular positions to enable a sufficient number of soldiers 

 to manoeuvre within them, in order to secure effective defence 

 and to keep up a rapid and regular fire against an attacking 

 enemy. 



V. To determine the quantity and power of the ordnance 

 required for the works proposed, considering the improvements 

 made in vessels of war, the sides of which are now made suf- 

 ficiently strong to resist the penetration of projectiles fired from 

 old cast iron guns, and also the long ranges at which we shall 

 have to attack the ships of an enemy, and the uncertainty of 

 firing at moving objects. 



I shall explain my views upon each of these points separately. 



I. 



1 . On looking over the Echiquier General of Port Jackson, 

 with regard to defensive and offensive operations, we find that the 

 elevation of the North Head (353 feet) renders it a tempting posi- 

 tion to an enemy, as it would defilade works on Middle Head, 

 George Head, Inner South Head, Green Point, Shark Point, 



