HARBOR DEFENCES.
Au inspection of the harbor aud the approach to it was made yesterday by a party on board the Government steamer Stella, consisting of the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, the Hon. Mr. Eisher, Colonel Header, and Captain Johnston. The object they had in view was to obtain information as to the best sites at which to erect batteries for the guns the Government have at length determined to obtain for the defence of this port. The steamer ran down to the Heads, and an examination of the bluffs there was made, in order to see which would afford the most advantageous position for defensive works. One objection to having batteries intended to protect the port placed at the Heads presented itself forcibly. Should a vessel of war in the night during a fog, or even in clear weather, once get past the Heads, the shipping 1 and town would be at the mercy of her guns. Both Somes Island and Wards Island offer good positions for batteries armed with heavy guns. The latter thoroughly commands the, entrance, and any hostile ships coming in would be raked by it for a considerable distance, and would have to pass broadside to it at a comparatively short range. One disadvantage that would : ensue from having heavy guns here would be that should a ship once get into the harbor she would be out of their fire. Guns at Somes Island would command a ship in Lambton harbor, but at a long range. A battery at Point Jerningham, commonly known as Magazine Point, would probably be constructed, for it would protect the inner anchorage, and would, in conjunction with another on Ward’s Island, place an enemy for a time under a cross fire. A landing was made at Ward’s Island yesterday with the view of ascertaining where it would be most judicious to place the guns. A battery near Pipitea Point would sweep the harbor and its immediate approaches, but from its position it would draw an enemy’s fire on the town, which a battery at Point Jerningham would not. Of course nothing definite was decided yesterday* the inspection being but a preliminary affair. °
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5341, 10 May 1878, Page 2
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361HARBOR DEFENCES. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5341, 10 May 1878, Page 2
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