345 
THE ATTACK OF A COAST FORTRESS, 
BY 
MAJOR F. B. ELMSLIE, R.A. 
CELER,” 
DUNCAN GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1893. 
At first glance the subject of the “Attack of a Coast Fortress” would 
appear to be almost purely a Naval one. But the subject of the Attack 
is so intimately connected, and interwoven, with that of the Defence, 
that the consideration of the former must greatly assist us in forming* 
proper ideas as to the latter. This intimate connection with the sub¬ 
ject of Defence, about which so much has been written and published— 
and notably the valuable and comprehensive article by Colonel J. B. 
Richardson, published in the “Proceedings^ R.A. Institution for January 
last—makes it almost impossible not to travel again, to a certain 
extent, over ground already traversed by others. In writing on this 
subject there is no desire to pretend to naval knowledge, further than 
that which ought to be possessed by every officer who studies the 
question of Coast Defence, and the Attack is therefore considered 
chiefly from the point of view of the defenders. This would appear 
the more reasonable, as we gunners are little likely to have to take an 
active part in attacking—except on Land Fronts—foreign Coast 
Fortresses, while we may very likely be called upon to defend our own 
coasts against hostile attack. 
It is very desirable to avoid, as far as possible, all purely speculative 
views, and to form our opinions on the substantial basis of history. It 
will consequently be necessary to describe, as shortly as possible, cer¬ 
tain actual incidents, chiefly drawn from events of quite recent years. 
Section I. On the Nature of Attack Which is Most Probable 
Under the Conditions of the Present Day. 
It must be stated, as an axiom, that no attack will ever be undertaken 
without some definite object. A consideration of the most probable 
objects of an enemy will therefore give a key to the nature of attack 
which he may undertake. 
7. YOL. XX. 
