The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-21 00:00:00

SOUTH YORKSHIRE.

The report of the directors states that £58,487,
added to the capital during the past year, has been
chiefly on account of plant and of the extensions
connected with the undertaking. The revenue
account exhibits a gross income from all sources of
£891052, earned at a total expense of £37,561,
leaving a balance of £51,490, which, after paying
the interest and preferential dividends, will yield
a dividend at the rate of 41 per cent. per annum on
the ordinary capital, and the directors recommend
that such dividend be declared accordingly. The
capital account shows that £2,391,612 had been re-
ceived, and £2,355,490 expended, leaving a balance
of £36,122.

The immense network of fortifications that, by the con-
tinuous labour of some thousands of men, is rising around
Portsmouth is being kapidly develoind in its extent and
nature, although, as a matter of course, in various stages of
progress, some of the more salient points being not only
completed by the Royal Engineers, but also handed over to
the Royal Artillery, by whom they have been armed and
garrisoned. Others, again, are complete in their construc-
tion, but await their formal handing over to the Royal Ar-
tillery; while others are part finished in construction, some
are only just taken in hand, and in one or two cases the
ground has not yet been broken. When the whole of the
lines of defence and detached forts are completed,P, rtsmouth
will be protected by three distinct lines or circles of defence
—the inner circle consisting of such of the present lines of
Portsmouth, Portsea, and Gosport, as the authorities may
decide on retaining; the second, or middle circle, consisting
of the Hilsea lines,Cumberland, Southsea, Moncton,Gomer,
Grange, Romer, Brockhurst, and Elston forts, with the line
of parapet and moat and projected forts along Stokes Bay.
The outer circle consists of tkEsix forts on the heights of
Portsdown, the detached fort Lee Farm, Roome, and
Old Ford, end the marine forts at Spithead. The diameter
of this cuter circle, measuring from the site selected for the
Marine Fort on the Noman shoal to the heavy work on
Portsdown, opposite Southwick, is nearly nine miles in
extent. From Southwick Fort, 450 feet above high water
mark, a magnificent view is obtained of the whole of the
works comprised in the three distinct circles to which we
have alluded. Along the ridge of Portsdown itself six
heavy detached works are marked out—Southwick, Wind-
mill, Purbrook, Crookhorn, Farlington, and Nelson. These
works are very extensive and formidable, but are so far
modified from their original design that they will have no
barrack accommodation attlihed to them at,present. This
will leave them mere batteries of great strength in an al-
most unassailable position, with open gorges, capable of
being multiplied or strengthened, as may be 'wished, at any
future time. Of the works on Portsdown little has been
done towards their construction beyond excavations and
the partial formation of the earth, or rather chalk works,
of
n a o
bcloe
flints and glistening
chalk lie deposited on the other parts of the Down. The
r
ts
and the collection of brick and materials in readiness for the
summer campaign. The surface of the Down in many
rvillage church,
parts, as at Purbrook, is seamed with chasms in which
whilemigh
t easilybehid from
corresponding
massessight
construction of the brick portions of the works will be com-
menced, it is calculated, in the first week in May, and then,
present summer may therefore see Portsdown. transformed
from a nearly barren solitude into one of the strongest
military positions in the world. Along each side of the hill
the ascent is precipitous throughout. To remedy this de-
fect at its west end a strong detached fort is being con-
structed at Wallington, which, in a commanding position,
dominates the village of Fareham and its roads, and com-
pletely commands every approach to the end of the hill.
No enemy could thus possibly march upon the main posi-
tion without first capturing Wallington—a feat which, if
the work were properly manned, might detain a strong
army for a considerable time. In advance of Wallington,
however, are two other detached works about 3,500 yards
in front of the line of forts between Gomer and Eisen, and
one at Old Ford co-operating with the fort at Wallington
by sweeping the ground in front of Fareham, and the other
near the Titchfield river, the route by which an enemy
would advance if he had effected a landing in any part of
the western channel. The eastern approach to the hill is
left quite unguarded, and this is the more extraordinary
when it is considered that to attack its opposite extremity,
which is guarded as described by heavy detached forts, an
enemy must first force the Needles or Spithead passages ;
while to attack the hill from the east all that is necessary for
an enemy to do would be to land at Selsea Bill, where there
is nothing whatever to oppose his doing so, where he would
secure a base of operations, and have an excellent road in his
front.

We have thus described the position of Portsdown itself,
with the ground on either flank, and the works in construc-
tion for its defence. Looking out from our elevation at
Southwick Fort to the south, the Isle of Wight forms the
background, with the waters of Spithead glistening between
the Isle of Wight and the island of Portsea, while clusters
of apparently, at this distance, vessels' masts mark the piles
and staging of the contractors for the foundations of the
marine forts at Spithead. Of these, the " Horse" and
" Sturbridge" are being executed by throwing on to the
two shoals masses of indurated concrete strengthened by
cast iron cylinders, similar to those used in the construction
of the new Hungerford-bridge. Piles were driven last
autumn on the " Noman" shoal to enable the contractors to
commence the foundations there, but the work was sus-
pended, owing to the rough weather, and the piles have
long since disappeared. This completes the outer circle of
Portsmouth fortifications—lines of works which it has been
deemed indispensable to construct owing to the improve-
ments in the range and precision of modern artillery. Cast-
ing the eye to the base of Portsdown in search of the second
circle of defence, the chief object in the foieground is the ex-
tensive ruins of Porchester Castle, the Portus Magnus of the
Itomans,and the predecessor of Portsmouth as a military post.
To the left a little stands the main line of Hilsea works, con-
structed to defend the entrance to the island of Portsea from
the mainland, but which is only partly finished as yet. The
channel in front of the line of works is about 2,600 yards in
length, and unites the harbours of Langston and Ports-
mouth, and is to be increased in width to 200 feet, having
sufficient depth to allow of the passage of gunboats between
the two harbours. The channel will also be fitted at either
end with skeleton cofferdams and other appliances for keep-
ing 7ft. water in the channel even at low water. Two im-
mense hornworks, of an equilateral tr;angular form, have
yet to be erected in front of the main line, with three wide
moats, but all in rear of the channel. Double archways are
constructed through the works for the railway and road
traffic. The main bastion trace has three fronts, with ex-
terior sides of 740 yards, the line of defence being 590 yards
long. The flanks are casemated for 10 guns each a la Haxo,
and in the rear of the casemate is a bomb-proof chamber for
10 men—the gun's crew. The guns from these casemtates
will deliver a heavy cross fire on the flank of each bastion.
The top of the work will carry no guns, but will be well
traversed for rifle fire. The line has a base of 116 feet, with
an average command of 20, and all portions exposed to a
direct fire will have a 24-feet covering of earth. Hilsea
position lies but 6 feet above high-water mark, and Ports •
down's greatest elevation, as we already stated, is 450 feet,
The distance between the two, selecting the nearest point at
Portsdown on which a battery could be erected, is 2,500
yards, but between these two points the ground declines to
considerably below high-water mark in the direction of
Cosham from Hilsea, and herein lies one of the strongest
elements of defence for the Hilsea lines, as by simply cut-
ting the seawalls the country for 600 yards in front could
be flooded each tide, and rendered perfectly impassable.
With the west end of the position resting on the foreshore
of Portsmouth harbour, the east demi-bastion rests on the
shore of Langston harbour, and crosses with the fire of its
guns those on the north flank of Cumberland Fort, the posi-
tionof the latter bein g at the ent ranee of Langston harbour, and
on the easternmost part of the island of Portsea. It is a
heavy start fort, with wide dry moats, having masonry re-
vetments, scarp and countersearp, and mounts two 10-inch
guns, 15 8-inch, 28 32-pounders, and six 24-pounders, be-
sides Armstrong guns of various calibres and field guns for
practice purposes. An immense extent of shoal water exists
seaward of the fort, zo as to render it wholly unapproachable
except to craft drawing but a few feet of water. It is occu-
pied by the practice parties of the Royal Marine Artillery.
Continuing the second circle of the defence of Portsmouth,
the coast line turns to the south-west from Fort Cumber-
land to the point of beach forming the entrance to Ports-
mouth harbour channel, on which stands Southsea Castle,
a distance of about 4,200 yards. The line of beach between
the two large forts is occupied by two smaller works—
Lumps Fort, mounting 13 68-pounders, of 95 cwt. each)
and four 8-inch guns. This is a well -executed work on the
surface and flanks, with three cavaliers for traversing car-
riages. It has a moat, with caponniet es for rifle fire ; but
the scarp and counterscarp are merely slopes of earth plas •
tered with concrete, and would present but little difficulty
to the rush of a body of men. The other small work—
Eastney, consists of a considerable length of moat and para-
pet parallel with the beach, terminating at each end in a
square work for six guns each. Prom each flank of the
work, and connected with the latter, runs out a stout wall,
the boundary wall for the new Marine Artillery Barracks,
which are to be constructed immediately in rear of the work.
The merit of this design is, that shot fired by an enemy
passing over the parapet of the work must plump right into
the barracks. The four forts cross each other's fire, and
effectually command the line of beach on which they stand.
Southsea Castle, the last of the four, occupies the most im-
portant position of any of the existing works in the imme-
diate vicinity of Portsmouth harbour; standing sentry, as
it does, at the entrance to Harbour Channel, no ship can
approach Portsmouth withdut coming close under the
castle's guns. The work consists of a square stone
tower, a keep of the time of Henry VIII., encircled
by bastion, moat, and glasis--4h3
moat being of
good depth and rivetted with masonry, but the interior of
the work very confined, so that a couple of 13-inch shells
would bury the whole of the guns on the terre-plain of the
work beneath its ruins. The flanks and rear of the work
have been strengthened by earthworks and 8-inch guns,
and an open redan of earth has been formed on each flank
and mounted with 8-inch guns. Altogether it mounts 12
solid shot 68-pounders, 15 8-inch, two 32's, and 15 24-
pounders. A few hundred yards from Southsea Castle, to
the westward of the Spit buoy, is the site marked for the
erection of the marine fort on the Spit Sand, with the site
for the " intermediate" fort on its left flank, the " Noroan"
and " Horse" out seaward, and the " Sturbridge," in a line
with Hyde. The next point in continuation of the circle is

I Moncton Fort, at the eastern end of Stokes Bay. From,
Moncton Fort to Southsea Castle the Spit shoals form a
triangle, the apex of which is Blockhouse Fort, at Ports-
mouth harboiree mouth, and the base the line of anchorage
at Spithead. The channel of entratee, of Portsmouth har-
bour runs from Southsea Castle along the line of Pontbsea
beach, and on the eastern side of the triang led-formed sheald.
On these shoals a plan has been subMitted to the authorities
for the construction of a floating and tidal basin, the farmer
of 216, and the latter of 125 acres, with outer walls for
wharves or batteries 200 ft. wide, with two coaling depots,
capable of holding 100,000 tons of coals. The ettire cost
is estimated at £150,030. Moncton Fort is an old work with
stone front, flanked by two bas!lons, Its rear is chiefly
earthworks of a stronger character than its somewhat
ancient front. It is surrounded by a moat with masonry
revetments, and is covered (to the rear) by a good earthen
glacis. It is also strengthened on its right flank by a stout
earthern parapet along the line of beach, terminating in an
auxiliary earthwork battery, open at the gorge and com-
manded by the fort. The guns altogether mounted consist
of two 10-inch guns, 9 solid shot 68-pounders, 5 8-inch guns
3 56-pounders, 9 32-pounders, 2 21 -pounders, 6 18-pounders,
and 7 12-pounders. The diitance from Moncton to Fort
Gomer along the shore of Stokes Bay, is about 2,600
yards, and this was recommended by the Commissioners in
their report " on the Defences of the United Kingdom" " to
be connected with the two forts by an intrenchment thrown
up along the edge of the bank which commands the beach,
the intrenchment having a wet ditch in front." This work
has been completed in even a more effectual manner than
recommended by the Commissioners. The end of the line
of rampart and moat, or " intrenchment," next to Fort
Moncton rests in a morass at the foot of the glacis of the
fort, and immediately under its guns. Thence the line
continues its course past Anglesea in the shape of an obtuse
angle, the apex inclining landwards. In front of,Angle,
seaman outwork of large dimension, a triangle with the apex
cut off, runs out to the sea beach, having a stout pier in
front, and the Isle of Wight branch of the South-Western
Railway running along its eastern parapet. The railway
and pier are commanded by a battery of 11 of the heaviest
guns on traversing platforms, the battery being erected on
the elevated ground immediately in rear of the line of in
trenchment. The line of moat in front of the intrenchment
is swept by a battery of four guns. The public road is car-
ried along inside the line until reaching the Alverstoke-
road, where it passes through the work and on to the line
of beach, the work at this point taking a sharp angle in-
wards, and affords an opportunity for the erection of another
battery of heavy gum to sweep the line of moat and beach
in 4ront, the line finally ending in the midst of broken
ground, shingle on the one side and bog on the other, in
front of Fort Gomer, and in rear of the Browndown bat-
teries, standing on the shore of Stokes Bay, and mounting
21 of the heaviest smooth bore ordnance. The termina-
tion of the line is formed by the construction of a square
work, surrounded by a moat, and approached over a light
bridge, having three guns in casemates on its left flank, sweep-
ing the line of ditch and front of parapet,and two guns in em-
brasures sweeping the glacis. In front, 3 guns in elevated
embrasures point seaward. On its right flank, six guns in
casemates sweep the ground in that direction, by which only
au enemy could approach, and crossing fire with the guns
from Fort Gooier. The bridge and:the rear of this work are
commanded by an outwork mounting eight heavy guns,
open at the rear, and itself in turn commanded, as are the
batteries on the beach, by Fort Gomer. This latter fortifica-
tion forms the left of the line of forts which is being com-
pleted across the peninsula, which gives the western side to
Portsmouth harbour, and which measures about 5,000 yards
across from Bedenham Creek on the one side to Stokes Bay
on the other. This position, when complete, will be most
formidable, not only from the size and armament of the
forts themselves, but also owing to the nature of the ground
on which the line of forts stands. Prince Albert, during
the periods of the Queen's residence at Osborne, often visited
these works, in the progress of which he ever appeared to
take the liveliest interest. Gomer stands in an almost unap-
proachable position on its front, where it is protected by an
extensive and impassable morass. It is an enclosed work,
surrounded by a moat with good masonry revetments, and
mounts en barbette five 10-inch guns, nine 68-pounders,
seven 8-inch, and nine 32-pounders, with two 13-inch mor-
tars on its parade. Its foundations gave out suspicious in-
dications of weakness when first constructed, but its masonry
revetments contributed greatly to support it, and there is
now reason to believe that no part of the work will settle
any further. The second completed fort of the line was
Elson, at the opposite end, on the shore of Portsmouth
harbour, mounting three 10-inch guns, 11 OS-pounders, four
-inch: and nine 32-pounders. Four of these are mounted
in casements a la Haxo—two on each flank, the remainder
on ground platforms which have lately been substituted for
traversing platforms, owing to the sinking of the terre-plein.
Three mortars are mounted on the parade. The gorge of
the work is closed by quarters for officers and men (300
men and 11 officers), at present unoccupied. Across the
rear of the parade, in front of the quarters, has been con-
structed a huge traverse, or "cavalier" battery, mounting
six B.inch guns, and entirely commanding the interior of
the work and the country in front. From the ramparts a
good command of the bountry is obtained. Exteriorly the
work is surrounded by a ditch, with sloping earth counter-
scarp. The escarp is revetted in brick, strengthened by a
double row of turned arches, with a sharp angle extending
about three feet below the berm, and the lower row of arches
pierced for musketry. Capponieres, pierced also for mus-
ketry, project into the ditch at the angles of the work. The
rear of the work is partially covered by a pierced wall and
earthen parapet, and the right flank is strengthened by out-
work to near high-water mark. Fort Elson has, however,
been singularly unfortunate, and has exhibited several
alarming indications of a tendency to fall prostrate at the
first opportunity. A huge crack exists on its right flank
from parapet to foundation, clear through the arch of the
capponiere, and the greater part of this flank has visibly
subsided. The soil is so unstable that the counterscarp on
the same flank has fallen bodily into the ditch. This, no
doubt, has been the cause of the disaster, for it is evident
that the superstructure is too heavy for the foundation. No
gun has yet been fired from the fort since its erection, and,
according to present appearances, one sa'vo would bting
the whole to I he ground. The remaining three of this chain
of forts—Brockhurst, Rowner, and Grange—are more for-
midable than Gomer or Elson. All three are being co n-
structed on the same plan. Each presents a bastion on a n
obtuse angle with lofty parapet, on the terre-plein of which
will be mounted guns on traversing platforms, having an
excellent command of the country in front. No guns aro
mounted in casemates on this bastion, but underneath the
terre-plein are 32-bomb-proof rooms for the accommodation
of the garrison. A vaulted passage runs along the back of
these rooms, having communication with each, and con-
taining pipes for heating purposes, &c. In the centre of
the bastion a caponniere of unusual dimensions stands out
into the ditch, and contains casemates for six guns, which
command the ditch, berm, and glacis of the work on either
face. This work is also well provided with rifle galleries, and
is altogether of a very superior and comprehensive charac-
ter. At each angle on the right and left flank of the bastion a
similar caponniere commands the ditch and face of the work,
but with only two guns instead of six, as in the central
caponniere. They are, however, equally well supplied with
rifle galleries. Each flank carries guns in casemates of the
most massive character, with others in casemates a la Haze
on the terre-plein. In the rear of the casemates are roomy
quarters for the officers, The flank is closed towards the
gorge by a continuation of curtain, until its junction with
the keep, which closes up the gorge and cffectuall3 com-
mands the whole of the interior, as well as rear of the fort.
The keep is a huge, circular building, surrounded by a
ditch, with brick revetments, and entered over a drawbridge
both from the interior and exterior of the fort. Ten guns
in massive casemates point into the fort, commanding and
enfilading every part, while the same number sweep the
outside of the port on its flanks and rear. The interior of
the keep is a circular courtyard, round which, in rear of the
guns, are the garrison library, schoolroom, &c., and offi-
cers' quarters. Each keep has been built of brick, with
stone dressings, and granite embrasures for the guns, in
the most substantial manner. The entrance-gateways have
suitable mouldings of Portland stone. Each fort will
mount about 80 guns of the heaviest calibre and have
quarters for about 600 men, Exteriorly, each fort is
being well covered with earthwork from the crest of the
parapet to the berm, and is surrounded by a ditch, the lat-
ter, however, without masonry or brick revetments, but
having merely a sloping escarp and counterscarp, with
concrete. Both scarp and counterscarp are, conse-
quently, at an angle that could offer but little opposition
to the passage of an enemy. These five forts are afterwards
to be connected by intrenchment, ditch, and rampart, as
in Stokes Bay. The line in Stokes Bay will also be
strengthened by the construction of detached works in the
rear, so that in point of strength the two faces of the line
of defence from Fort Moncton to Fort Elson will strongly
resemble each other, and will form, in conjunction with
each other, a position of immense strength. The
time ',named for the completion of Brockhurst,
Rowner, and Grange is August next. The building of Lhese
immense forts has been attended with great and unexpected
difficulties owing to the nature of the soil on which they are
constructed, and has been followed in several instances by
results which threaten to affect the very stability of the
works. Thus, Rowner Keep, owing to the weight of the
superstructure being too great for the supports at its base,
has a fissure opened through the arches on its interior left
flank, which has the appearance of having been caused by
some violent convulsion of the earth. No guns are in the
keep as yet, nor can any be placed there until sufficiently
energetic measures are taken to provide a remedy,
or the
building is pulled down and rebuilt on a firmer and broader
foundation. Grange Fort, too, has ono of the arches of its
keep cracked, and a portion of its right flank has
consider-
ably subsided. This latter, however, so far as can be seen
at present, can easily be remedied; but it still displays

weal/less, This line of forts completes, by the position of
Fort Bison opposite to the left demi-bastion at Hiisea, the
second or middle line of the defences of Portsmouth.
The third or inner circle of defence consists of the lines of
Portsmouth, rottsea, and Gosport, immediately encircling
the three towns. PorisMolth lines consist of five bastioned
fronts, with exterior sides, With double flanks and small
ravelins. They mount two 13. inch mortars, two OS-poun-
ders, 25 B.inch guns, 46 32-pmmclers, 302-1-pounders, 0 i2,-
po-nders, 5 24-pounder carrchades, 12 10-inch howitzers,
and 7 B.inch howitzers. Portsca is defended by four bas-
tioned fronts with caletior sides, raveling, and tenaillcs,
in motah-
Iminoens htl
ntinige37w2idlzoduenedperms and. s, 10 in
completelyc eviteztetreg
sonry. and brickWollc. Gosport lines arc of irregul ir trace,
r
former
with a wet ditch, but untevetted. They mount 47 24-
moats, 8-hhowitzers.
E
andpo linßd
Blocskhouse
kahnodu
,201
1870 inchrts, a t howitzers.
Mounting 15 8-inch guns, two 66-pounders, 25 32-pounders,
and 14 18. pounders. Point Battery mounts 20 8-inch
guns. the
harbour's
ou Ine
The lines of Portsmouth and Portsea, although more
perfect In their outline, and stronger in their base and revet-
ments by far than are the new works %c'e have been describ-
ing,s mouth,°'cldi addition
n thea e
will have their greater portion demolished on the com-
pletion of the Mina lines and the line from Gomer to Bison.
Further reference to these must be reseried fer a future
occasion, as also any lengthened detail of the work:tett Hurst
Castle and in the Isle of Wight. At Hurst and the Needles
additional works, Including a drop redoubt on the edge of
the cliff in front of the old lighthouse, are being rapidly
pushed forward ; and at Sandown, the other extremity of
the island, the came energy is being displayed. In the
latter place a fort of formidable dimensions is designed, in
lieu of the old one in the bay, so well known to visitors to
this watering-place. It has been found necessary, however,
to erect another fort on Ending Down, to opartand_ the one
at Sandowu ; but the extraerdinasx-partpf whgle, affair.
is that the very spot selected on this extensive DOwn is
where the monument in memoryof Lord Yarborough stands,
the removal of which will entail an expense of £6OO. It has
also been found that the outer lighthouse at Hurst Castle
must be taken down and rebuilt, to make room for an angle
of the new works. The guns now mounted in the South-
west District amount to upwards of 750, the greater number
of which are 10-inch, 68-pounders (solid shot), and 8-inch.
The new works constructing to which we have been refer-
ring, including the marine forts at Spithead, but excluding
the Isle of Wight, will give an addition of about 1,150 guns.
When they are all completed it will take every soldier under
tha British Crown to man them, should it ever be attempted
to defend all points at one and the same time.