Division of 
Subject. 
In space. 
In time. 
334 SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1895: 
it must be our endeavour to ascertain as far as possible the forms this 
hability will take in different cases. This can only be done very 
generally, for to attempt to classify all our Coast Fortresses with their 
differences of importance, locality, armament, types of fort, ete., would 
be, even if capable of satisfactory accomplishment, a task quite beyond 
the limits of this essay. There appears however to be one broad dis- 
tinction which for the purpose of this essay would seem particularly 
suitable, because it is largely based upon the nature of the garrisons 
that will be employed to defend different fortresses. To all our home 
fortresses are allotted in addition to the R.A. Companies serving in the 
district certain units of Militia and Volunteer Artillery, to whom a share 
in the defence of the fortress is confided, while those abroad can only 
count on their existing garrisons, which as far as India and the Crown 
Colonies are concerned are composed of the R.A. while the self-governing 
Colonies find troops of their own, to take up the work of the Defence. 
This distribution of the Garrison gives us a division of the subject into 
(1.) The defence of Coast Fortresses at home. 
(2.) The defence of Coast Fortresses abroad, 7.c. outside the 
United Kingdom. 
It may be noted that this method of separating the subject practi- 
cally puts into one class all the most important Fortresses, viz :—Those 
at home, while it leaves those classified as “ abroad ” as descriptive with 
one, or two exceptions, such as Malta, Bombay, &c., of the less impor- 
tant ones. These exceptions if they approximate closely in importance 
to the one class, approach from their geographical position still 
closer to the second, in their lability to particular forms of attack, 
and it seems probable that the principles of their defence should 
be conducted with slight additional modifications on the same general 
lines. 
But as we thus have a division of the subject in space depending 
practically upon the geographical position of each Fortress, so it will 
be convenient to formulate a division in time depending upon the stage 
hostilities have reached at the time an attack is made. This division 
can most easily, and appropriately be made into :— 
(a.) On the outbreak of hostilities including the period when they 
are imminent. 
(b.) During the progress of the war, when the Command of the 
Sea is held by ourselves. 
(c.) During the progress of the war when the Command of the 
Sea is doubtful, or only temporary, in certain seas. 
(d.) During the progress of the war, when the enemy has 
obtained an assured command of the Sea. 
I think it will be apparent that some such division of the subject as 
this is needed, and will tend to a clearer understanding of what may be 
expected to happen under varying conditions. I propose therefore to 
examine the question of probability of attack from a combined view of 
the conditions due to difference in time and place. 
