536 THE COAST DEFENCES OF NORTHERN TUNIS. 
any view to the bombardment of a hostile fleet. The batteries them- 
selves in both places are open and constructed on much the same lines 
as those indicated in certain plates of Lewis’ “ Confidential permanent 
fortification for officers R.H.,” the outside measurements varying from 
150 metres to 200 metres in length. The fort defending the entrance 
to the Tunis Canal is situated on the coast line close to old Carthage. 
Its title is Fort Bordj-Djedid (see maps a and c) and it is situated on 
the western shore of the Gulf of Tunis, about 14 miles north of La 
Goulette, the entrance to the canal. It is, I should estimate, about 
80 feet above the level of the sea. Its armament at present consists 
of two groups each of 2-22 B.L. guns the arcs of fire of 
which cover the whole sea front of the canal: The guns are mounted 
“en barbette ” and approximate in shell power to our 9°2” B.L. guns 
on similar mountings. Between these two groups, when I was there, 
was being prepared an emplacement for a heavy gun on disappearing 
mountings. J gathered the gun had not yet arrived in Tunis. The 
magazine is in rear of the centre of the battery and well sunk. The fort 
is thrown back about 60 yards from the sea line (tide about one foot full) 
and I should say there was a large sea area of dead water under the 
fire of the guns. ‘The arrangements for fighting the forts must be of 
a simple primitive nature, and are marked by a complete absence of 
any telephonic or telegraphic communications, or electric light instal- 
ment. By means of one military wire, it is in telegraphic communica- 
tion with the military district head-quarters at Tunis, from which it is 
distant about 25 kilometres, or $ hour by rail, Tunis to Malka, (see 
map a) and thence to the fort about 20 minutes walk. 
The water supply is ample and good from the old Roman cisterns 
of Carthage, recently renovated at some expense, and situated just out- 
side of and to the S.H. rear of the fort. herezis plenty of encamping 
ground in the neighbourhood of this water supply for the whole Tunis 
brigade, which consists of four battalions of infantry, one regiment 
chasseurs d’Afrique and a sufficient proportion of artillery. 
The actual garrison of the fort in peace is merely a few zouaves and 
gunners to keep the fort and its armament in working order. 
To attempt a landing on the rocky foreshore would, at any time, be 
a hazardous operation, unless it were made on the northern side of the 
fort, and the commanding position of Sidi-Bou-Said (see map a) 
occupied, when from the rear the fort could be made untenable. The 
floating defence consists normally of one torpedo gun-vessel and two 2nd 
class torpedo-boats. There are no submarine mining arrangements. 
Bizerta Port Defences.—Owing at first to want of money and to some 
settled plan as to extent of fortification necessary, the coast defences 
of Bizerta have only just been completed and are not likely to be 
increased for some time to come. Indeed, the only military work on 
which the authorities are engaged, at present, is on the construction of 
the arsenal at Oued Tindja, on the further side of the inner lake (see a 
sketch d). 
The most important battery of the Bizerta defences is Fort “ Djebel 
Roumadia” or “ Ben Nigro” (see b sketch d) on the S.E. side. The 
