Indian Antiquary Vol 31

SR No.: 032523
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 556
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1902.
The Northfront (the most likely to be Attacked) has two demi Bastions, thus projecting and Posessing some ground the same height with that of the Redoubt, will have some flanking fire, and a Gun in the face of each Demi Bastion will have the range of the whole valley on each side that is cleared of wood; and might prevent or intimedate an enemy from landing in boats to burn the buildings.
The North and the East fronts are the first that should be put in execution, and to them there should be good Ditches and Parapets at least 14 feet thick but the other two faces are so entirely unapproachable and are so much out of the power of being annoyed by cannon from ships, that there is hardly Occasion for Shutting them in, but at all events it may be done with a parapet 6 or 8 feet tl:ick and without a Ditch.
As on the East side the ridge of the Hill continues so high the ascent cannot be seen from the redoubt upon the point, therefore where the Ridge terminates there should be an Entrenchmont B with embrazares for two Guns from the flank of which there should be a Strong Abattis, extending across the Valley to the thick wood on each side, indeed the sides of that Hill in its whole length is now so much covered with felled Timber, that a very little labour will render it absolately impassable on the flanks of this Work, so that the only point where it can be attacked must be at this Strong Work at the top of a Hill of rapid and sudden ascert, the road along the ridge from the Redoubt to this work should be made practicable for Gans and to be seen in its whole length from the Redoubt and the felled trees and branches on each Side should be formed into different lines of Abattis as absolutely to confine the Road to the Ridge
I have made the Road to lead into the Redoubt thro' a Redan in the last face, but could it conveniently be carried round to the South face it would be better, which you will only be able to determine when the ground is cleared and labelled ; the East face need only then be a Strict line in which there may be four Embrazures.
From the South face there should be a small path out to the valley where a small space Should be cleared away for the labourers women and children to retire to, and where also there Should be your principal Depot of Provisions. From this Valley should also be cut [a] Small and Secret path to the water side on the west side, to the entrance of which Stores and Provisions may be sent in Boats, and the Road should be led as much as possible clear of heights for the ease of Carriage, and every Other track and path that the Settlers have made should be as Carefully Shut up and concealed as possible.
And Vessels in the Harbour Should be moored in the Situation C in the Manner the Seamen term at "fours" so that the Guns from the west face of the Redoubt and musyaetry from the Entrenchment D could protect them should they be Attempted to be cut out or distroyed by Boats, for which parpose any of the Trees that Obstruct the View in the Space marked in Yellow, should be cat down, and the whole of that side of the Hill, Should be kept in its present impracticable State, only leaving one small and winding path for the convenience of getting at Fresh Water, but which could quickly be shut up. The path also from the Garden to the East point of the Island should be carefully shut up, and every other Path and track thro the woods that has not been partioularized. There are yet many Other additions that Might be made to the Strength of this Ground, but what I have now pointed out is as much as you can execute until you have more people. Should however any Alterations or Improvements Occar to you during the progress of the work you will of Course adopt them, first consulting with Lieutenant Wells and you will of course pay Strict Attention to whatever he may recommend as adviseable, either in Altering or adding to the above plan. Port Cornwallis
I am Sir &ca. 28th June 1798.
(Signed) A. Kyd, Superintendant Andamana.