OUR HARBOR DEFENCES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 747, 25 June 1886, Page 30

OUR HARBOR DEFENCES.

OFFICIAL TRIAL.

The official trial of Port Nicholson's harbor defences took place on Saturday last. At 1.45 p.m. the Union Steamship Company’s s.s. Grafton left the Railway Wharf for Fort Ballance, Point Gordon, having on board Sir G- Whitmore, Commander of the Forces, the Hon John Ballance, Minister of Defence, about thirty members of the Legislature, and a large number of Government officials, officers of the Permanent and Volunteer Forces, representatives citizens, and about fifty ladies, the total number ou board being about 200. The harbor had not a very inviting appearance in consequence of a stiff northerly breeze blowing all the forenoon, and this fact probably "deterred many from accepting the invitations sent out. The wind, however, dropped a little shortly after the Grafton left the wharf, and on arrival off Point Gordon, a few minutes after 2 o'clock, the water was found to be comparatively smooth. The Ellen Ballance was found lying at. the jetty, and as the Grafton headed for the little bay, two shots from the fort heralded her approach. The Ellen Ballance then came off and conveyed about half the passengers by the Grafton ashore to witness some preliminary Bhot and shell practice by the two 7-ton Woolwich gunß already in position. The fort is reached by a steep ascent from the jetty along a line of rails laid down for conveying the guns and other material used in warfare, aud up this ascent, aided by the foothold afforded by the sleepers, the visitors slowly plodded, arriving at the top out of breath, and many—particularly the score of ladies who ventured the journey—being considerably distressed. However, all were amply rewarded for their exertions when the fort was reached, for few could have anticipated seeing such extensive works as have been carried out by th 6 Defence Department with the sole aid of the permanent force uuder Major Boddam. Three semi-barbette emplacements have been constructed of concrete, with two perfectly protected loading galleries for each. The outer emplacements are occupied by the two 7-ton 7in Woolwich guns already referred to, while the central one is ready to receive one of the Bia breachloading Armstrong guns on the hydro-pneumatic principle ordered by the Gevernment. No. 1 gun (nearest the Heads) is protected by a palisade, to scale which would be an impossibility, owing to the s’eep declivity. The emplacements are connected with the magazine by a covered way, affording ample shelter ; and altogether the plans have been prepared and carried out in a mo3t careful and praiseworthy manner. The 7-ton guns were fired for the first time on Saturday, and, this fact being duly borne in mind, the results must be considered satisfactory. Firing was begun with No. 1 gun with Palliser shot and shell, the range being 3500 yards and the object Picnacle rock, at the end of Barrett’s Reef. Sergeant-Major Parker, under the supervision of Major Boddam, had charge, and the eight taken proved a capital one, the first shell striking the base of the rock. The second Bhot grazed a little to the right, and it was fully expected that the third would shatter the object, but unfortunately the shell got jammed in loading, owing to the loading gallery necessitating an unusual depression in the elevation of the gun. Unless a remedy for this is provided the jamming of the charge may often occur, causing on each occasion considerable delay. The firing at No. 2 gun was scarcely so accurate, but when the men have received a little training better results may be anticipated. The object for No. 2 gun was Ward Island, about 2000 yards distant, but in six shots only two may be Baid to have proved satisfactory. The firing was rather slow in consequence of all the work of moving the guns being done by handspikes, but when the traversing gear is fitted, a great improvement iu this direction will be effected. After wandering over the works the party descended, and were conveyed on board the Grafton at 3.45. Major Boddam and several officers remaining on the Ellen Ballance, on which veesel a Hotchkiss gun was placed, to be used in annoying the supposed hostile visitor. The Grafton then steamed for the Heads, and on returning represented the enemy. SCENE FROM THE GRAFTON. On reaching Pinnacle Rock, we were greeted with a shot from No. 1 gun at Fort Ballance. Opposite the Pilot Station another shot was fired, and as we approached the. fort both gnns opened fire, and Aept it np until we

were nearly abreast of the fort, when Fort Halswell responded, and the field guns on the road between the two forts began a brisk cannonade. Aa we passed Point Gordon the torpedo boat shot out from the bay and exploded a small charge, at the same time making in the direction of the town. At this point Fort Halswell had us well within range, while the Navals on the hill had us broadside on, and No. 2 gun at Fort Ballance was sweeping us fore and aft. On rounding Point Halswell the forts at Kaiwarra and Ngahauranga opened fire, and the Nordenfeldt on the torpedo boat was directed towards us. As we headed for the town after rounding Point Jerningham, we had the. fire from Ngahauranga on our starboard, Kaiwarra immediately ahead, Fort Halswell in our rear, the torpedoboat’s Nordenfeldt on our port quarter, aud the Ellen Ballance’s Hotchkiss playing across our bows. The course stesred was toward the torpedo sheds, off which the mines were laid. Ac 4.25 the mines exploded some distance ahead of us, and as we still proceeded the Ellen Ballance, which had been raking us with her Hotchkiss gun, crossed our bows and kindly informed us that another mine lay a short distance ahead. The engines of the Grafton were therefore stopped, and a few minutes after a splendid mine shot a column of water about 40ft in the air, sending a thrill through the vessel, and stirring up great quantities of mud. Firing now ceased, and the Grafton returned to the wharf, which she reached a few minutes before 5 o’clock. OPERATIONS ON SHORE. The firing from forts Ballance, Halswell, Buckley, and Ngahuranga was well sustained and admirably timed, when all the circumstances are considered ; for it was obviously unwise, unnecessarily to waste ammunition on such an occasion. The battery on the road between Points Halswell and Gordon was well handled, and would have proved exceedingly troublesome to a cruiser, but its position was too exposed, and would probably have been swept by the return fire. The mines were fired from the torpedo sheds under the direction of Major Boddam, four being exploded at one time, and two at another. The charges, however, were not very powerful, although sufficient evidence of their effectiveness was given. THE TORPEDO BOAT. This little demon was in charge of Captain Lodder, who handled her in a very skilful manner, and amply demonstrated her usefulness in time of actual warfare. The Nordenfeldt gun on board would not have proved very effective, however, in the case of an ironclad, where all the men would be well under cover. The Ellen Ballance was manned by a detachment of Navals under Lieut. R. Bruce Wallace and Pettv-Officer Armstrong, the Hotchkiss gun on board being very smartly handled ; but what a vessel like her could do in repelling an enemy it is impossible to conjecture. However, her appearance enlivened the scene, and, of course, added to the general effect. PUBLIC IMPRES9IONS. The opinion expressed by the public is of a varied character. Those on shore, of course, had not the same opportunity of judging of the effects as those afloat. Sufficient was shown on Saturday, however, to convince those on board the Grafton that no ordinary cruiser could withstand the attack made from all quarters, even supposing that she got safely insiae the harbor and passed Fort Ballance uninjured. The number of spectators was very large, every good point of view being occupied. His Excellency the Governor and a large number of members of the Legislature took up a prominent position, and appeared to take a great interest in the proceedings, which, on the whole may be considered satisfactory.