306 MILITARY VALUE OF A POST. 



or tackling, and above all, of water to the vessels 

 passing by. 



In a military point of view such a post would be 

 most valuable, and its importance is daily increasing 

 with the augmentation of the commerce passing by 

 this route. If a war were suddenly to break out, a 

 small vessel belonging to an enemy would, by occu- 

 pying the sea near Cape York, command the whole 

 of our commerce between the South Pacific and the 

 Indian Oceans. By stationing a look-out post on 

 Mount Adolphus, she might be advertised by signals 

 of the approach of all vessels, and of their number 

 and character, and by making herself thoroughly 

 acquainted with the neighbouring reefs and shoals, 

 might easily pick out tortuous and dangerous chan- 

 nels, which would afford her refuge and means of 

 escape from a force superior in strength to herself. 

 The existence of a military post in Torres Strait 

 would deter a small vessel from occupying this 

 station, as defences might easily be thrown up for 

 its protection against any force she could land to 

 attack it) while, for a large vessel, the object would 

 hardly be of sufficient importance, and it would be 

 more difficult for her to reach the ground without 

 being observed and followed by one of our own. 



As far as regards the comfort and well-being* of 

 the party inhabiting the place, I can only say, that 

 in climate and pleasantness of aspect, the neighbour- 

 hood of Cape York is vastly superior to Port Essing- 

 ton. The soil of both is equally barren, but the 



