SOUTHERN AFRICA. 233 
possession of that important pass which, being defensible by a 
very few men, would completely cut off all communication 
with the district of Zwellendam and the eastern parts of the 
colony — and, if the attempt was made in the month of De- 
cember, a detachment landed near Blauwberg opposite to 
Robben Island would intercept the annual supply of corn, 
which, in the beginning of the year, is always transported to 
the Cape. The garrison would then be obliged to abandon 
their forts to dispute those posts or starve within their lines, 
as they never have a stock of provisions in store, and are par- 
ticularly reduced at this season of the year. 
Some, however, are of opinion that the place would best 
be taken by a Coup de Main, by dashing at once into Table 
Bay in a south-east wind, and cutting out all the ships that 
may happen to be at anchor. In doing this, they would have 
to sustain the fire of Craig's tower and battery, Fort de 
Knokke, the sea lines and the castle, beside the three heavy 
batteries on the west coast of the bay. There are few places, 
perhaps, where so great a fire can be concentrated, as may be 
brought to bear on the anchoring ground of Table Bay. 
The batteries are mounted with a considerable number of 
heavy guns ; but, it is true, they are very old ; a great part 
of them honej^combed, and the carriages of man}^ completely 
demolished. The Amsterdam battery has also many defects, 
and, in the opinion of some naval officers, would soon be 
silenced by a single ship of the line, brought to lie close 
alongside of it. It must be recollected, however, that in this 
situation she would be flanked by the Ciiavonne battery, 
and have to sustain the fire of that of Kogge Bay. 
VOL. II. II H 
