10 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
6. A small battery at the east point of the Isle des Tonneliers, near a bridge* 
which communicates with another small and narrow island, at the extremity of 
which there is also a small redoubt. 
7. There are two swamps behind the redoubt. 
8. There are two reefs of rocks before the Isle of Tonneliers, towards the 
north, and facing the redoubt. They are extended to a sand-bank, which stretches 
out about two-thirds of a mile to the north, when there is about six fathom water, 
which diminishes on approaching the island. 
9. But this bank does not extend itself, in the same manner, on the side of the 
island which borders on the channel at the entrance of the port, as it contains 
twenty-five fathom water; so that the largest vessels may pass through it. 
10. It is but lately that a kind of causey has been erected to connect the Isle of 
Tonneliers with Mauritius. 
11. There are several windmills round the harbour and the town. 
12. In the midst of the channel, or of the port, between the Isle of Tonneliers 
and the town, a pontoon is fixed with anchors, in three fathom water, for careening 
vessels. 
Fort Royal, or Fort Blanc, on the point opposite the Isle of Tonneliers, con¬ 
tains' thirty-five pieces of large cannon. The fire of this fort crosses that of the 
Isle of Tonneliers, in order to defend the entrance of the port. The breadth of 
the channel between the fort and the latter island does not exceed five hundred 
yards. 
Fort Blanc is situated on a kind of island that stretches along the coast, with 
which it is connected by a bridge or causey, communicating with the narrowest 
part of a swamp, which separates it from the body of the island. This fort contains 
several covered batteries, and is flanked by others to the right and left. A mole 
has also been constructed, which stretches out into the sea, before, and to the right of 
the harbour. 
In the middle space between Fort Blanc and the port or town, on the same 
side as the channel which forms the entrance, and at about six hundred yards from 
Fort Blanc, there is a small square fort, containing twelve eighteen-pounders. At 
the distance of five hundred yards from the latter fort, and near the harbour, begins 
a line of entrenchments, which stretches out as far as the mountain to the right of the 
