72 On the Improvement of the 



Immediate gain to the port — 



Harbor 500 acres. 



New channel 200 „ 



River basin ... ... 50 „ 



Total ... 750 acres. 



Length of quay wall ... 8,000 lineal yards. 

 Area of quay space . . . 427 acres. 



In the above estimate and statement the injuries accruing 

 from delay and the advantages to be derived from immediate 

 action are so great that I now leave the facts to speak for 

 themselves. In this paper, as in the original one, the cost 

 of aU works are estimated at outside prices, and the benefits 

 understated. 



Before closing I may be permitted to point out how the 

 proposed harbor works, whilst materially affecting the 

 question of harbor defences as originally submitted by the 

 Royal Engineer Officers who have considered the question, 

 owing to the material change of conditions in the Bay, in the 

 event of these or similar works being undertaken, may be 

 converted into strong and almost impregnable fortifications 

 for the defence of the port, and render the possibility of 

 shelling Melbourne and Williamstown from the Bay impro- 

 bable, without first silencing the batteries — a thing which 

 ought to be impossible. 



At the end of the south pier a site is shown for a battery 

 in position of Moncrief guns, which construction, with stone 

 facing to above high- water, may from that point have earth- 

 work defences, sodded in the usual way ; and such guns as 

 described, with a horizontal fire, would sweep a range of not 

 less than five miles, being themselves unassailable, except to 

 chance shots or an uncertain, plunging, or vertical fire. 



The magazines for these guns need to be of no great size, 

 because along the causeway a light tramway could be con- 

 structed, under shelter of a covered way, for the purpose of 

 conveying ammunition from land magazines as required. 



In case of the quay battery being injured from any cause, 

 it would be untenable for an enemy without first silencing 

 the land batteries which cover it from Sandridge and the 

 river entrance. 



I do not presume on these matters to speak with authority-, 

 but rather as indicating the points which are available for 

 harbor defence, and how they may be utilised. 



The rates previously given for the cost of the work so 

 much exceed those paid for similar work that I have been 



