250 ON THE DEFENCES OF PORT JACKSON, 



Point, and the dismantled battery on Bradley Point are frequently 

 depreciated, and' are no doubt defective in some details of con- 

 struction, their situation is in accordance with the rules of 

 Defence at the time they were designed, which could not possibly 

 foresee or provide for the consequences of the recent wonderful 

 developement of the mechanical appliances of war. With our 

 experience, the same mistakes are not likely to occur in new 

 works, and the old ones may be modified so as to render them 

 efficient batteries. 



11. The inner positions of the Harbour as far as our Powder 

 Magazine must be protected by batteries on Fort Phillip, Goat 

 Island, Ball's Head, or Long Nose Point, to prevent vessels under 

 shelter in some of the Bays, from shelling the City. The new 

 Powder Magazine at Spectacle Island ought without delay to be 

 made shot and shell proof. 



12. If obstructions were placed across the " Sow and Pigs " 

 Shoal, a strong Tower on the rock there would be necessary to 

 fire point blank on either side at vessels attempting to force a 

 passage, but without obstructions, there seems no necessity for 

 such a work. 



II. AND III. 



The extent and number of our Batteries require much con- 

 sideration. 



We may be exposed to receive a hostile visit from a single 

 frigate, but it is more likely that not less than a squadron would 

 dare to venture into Port Jackson, with the probability of being 

 received by British men-of-war ; if we trust to the latter to defend 

 us, they may be overpowered by a stronger force if not well sup- 

 ported by land batteries. It is more prudent to depend chiefly 

 on our batteries, regarding the powerful assistance of H.M. 

 Ships, if at Sydney, as an additional advantage. 



Two systems of Defence seem practicable. 



The first consists in the strength and power of our batteries 

 and forts and upon their extent, to cover every point where an 

 enemy could attempt a landing, or lay to to shell the city and 



