368 
SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1893 . 
The value of a coin is often shown most clearly on the reverse. 
Probably there are few naval officers who do not feel obliged to 
acknowledge the soundness of Admiral Selwyn's advice: 1 “I hope that 
naval officers will consider that a fort is a thing to be avoided.” 
In the past, however, there have been occasions obliging them to 
take the risks, and history is continually repeating itself. Even the 
very improbability may be an inducement to a bold commander, and 
it is the first duty of the Defence to investigate the probable action of 
the Attack in such a case, so that it may be anticipated and defeated. 
More especially does it concern Garrison Artillery officers, on whom 
the responsibility of conducting the defence must chiefly rest. 
For them unfortunately suck an investigation is extremely difficult, 
because, although their business is to fight them, they have no facilities 
for making themselves practically acquainted with ships and their 
handling; being very seldom even afforded the chance of obtaining 
the slight knowledge to be derived from the co-operation of the Navy 
in sea-fortress manoeuvres. 
In fact one can only try to interpret history, carefully using the light 
given by those, who, by training or opportunity, are better qualified. 
The reasons for an attack may be :— 
1. To compel a weak or semi-civilised government to yield to 
demands made on it, through moral effect, e.g. } Lord Exmouth's 
attack on Algiers. The bombardment of Kagosima in 1863. 
2. Asa tactical manoeuvre, either in support of army operations as 
at Fort Wagner, Roanoke Island, Grand Gulf, Fort Fisher, &c., 
in the American Civil War ; or in the form of a demonstra¬ 
tion for the purpose of inducing the defender's fleet to leave 
port to give battle as, it has been suggested, 2 might have 
been justification for a bombardment of Kolberg by the 
French in 1870. 
3. To gain possession of the harbour or anchorage defended, which 
is required for subsequent operations, or whose loss will in¬ 
jure the enemy, e.g., Port Royal and Alexandria. 
4. To test the powers of specially built ships or floating batteries, 
of which the bombardment of Fort McAlister, Ogeechee 
River, is an example. 
5. To reach for the purpose of capture, for use or destruction, the 
charge of the fortress, such as a water-way like the Mississippi; 
the enemy's ships, as at Mobile; or torpedo-boat depots, as 
are to be found on the coast of Italy. 
6. For strategical purposes, by drawing attention and troops from 
other points of the theatre of war, of which Dundonald's 
raids in the Imperieuse during the Napoleonic wars may serve 
as an example. 
1 Attack of Armour-clad Vessels by Artillery ; Orde-Brown. P.TJ.S. Institution Journal. • VoL 
XXVI. 
2 Ships versus Forts ; Jackson. F.E. Occasional Papers, 1889. 
