Excerpt from The Protection of Heavy Guns for Coast Defence

The following paper has been drawn up by my directions with the view of throwing light upon the various questions relating to the mounting of guns for coast defences in the immediate future. It is possible that a considerable amount of coast fortification may shortly have to be undertaken, and it seems desirable to attempt to set forth the general principles which will have to be taken into consideration. These principles deserve to be subjected to a wide and searching discussion. In my opinion it is undesirable in the highest interests of the country that questions of defence should be dealt with as the special prerogative of a handful of Officers in a single office, and I strongly hold that the more minds brought to bear upon them the better. It is, I consider, of special importance that Naval and Artillery Officers should have an opportunity of hearing and expressing opinions upon matters relating to coast defence. Their views cannot fail to act as a wholesome corrective to those of Engineers. The opinions advanced in this paper may not, therefore, receive universal acceptance. They are merely put forward as suggestions open to discussion and criticism.

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