BY G. A. MORELL, ESQ., C.E. 249 



almost certain to disable them. The proximity of Watsons Bay 

 (for communication by water), renders this position most valuable 

 in a logistical point of view. In time of war it will also afford a 

 powerful support to vessels seeking shelter in Watsons Bay. 



6. Shark Point is another good position. Vessels would be 

 exposed 24 minutes within a range of 2000 yards to the fire of 

 guns placed there, but their speed may be increased and the 

 time of their exposure lessened. Guns at that position would 

 cover Taylor Bay and Rose Bay where vessels could lay to to 

 shell the city. It is easy of access and ought to be occupied. 



7. Bradley Point is a most important position with any system 

 of Defence we may adopt. With obstructions in the Channels, 

 it is as important as Shark Point, although further from them, and 

 without obstructions, it is strategically the best position in Port 

 Jackson. Within a range of 2000 yards, it commands almost 

 every place where a vessel could lay to to shell the City. Heavy 

 Guns placed at Bradley Point would bear constantly on an 

 enemy for three-quarters of an hour, from the time of his 

 entering Port Jackson until h*e had reached Darling Harbour, 

 being nearly all the time raked fore and aft. Bradley Head, might, 

 however, like Middle Head, prove an insecure position unless 

 strongly fortified at the gorge on the higher ground, to prevent 

 an enemy from attacking its batteries in the rear. 



8. With obstructions in the Channels, Point Piper, Darling 

 Point, Garden Island, and Careening Point need only have sub- 

 sidiary batteries, where guns may be taken if wanted ; but with- 

 out obstructions, these positions require powerful batteries for 

 guns to cross fire with other works within a range of 2000 yards 

 upon vessels attempting to shell the city and shipping. 



9. Shark Island and Clark Island would be very good posi- 

 tions if we could spare many troops to occupy permanently strong 

 forts erected thereon, otherwise they are too liable to be surrounded 

 by a fleet and attacked by landing parties, without the chance of 

 assistance or re-enforcements reaching them. Strong Forts 

 numerously garrisoned on these Islands would be too costly to build 

 and to maintain. 



10. Although the present batteries at Fort Denison, Lady 

 Macquarie's Point, Fort Macquarie, Kiribili Point, and Dawes 



