An item reported that the last two years England and her colonies make all efforts to improve the defence of the British coal stations and arsenals outside Europe. At Gibraltar were 2-100 tons guns and one battery of suitable 38 tons guns installed. According to rumours were there plans to install a battery of steel made guns with a large calibre on O’Harra’s tower. O’Harra’s tower with a height of 360 metres controlled the Strais of Gibraltar. Further more were a numerous number of smaller guns available. At Malta were 2-100 tons guns similar to the ones at Gibraltar. According to some plans were for both harbours each 500 guns necessary asking for a personnel strength of 10.000 artillerists, which was far beyond the number of military now serving in both places. The founding of voluntary companies was one of the possible solutions.
Note
1. O’Hara’s Battery was a former watch tower demolished in 1888 and replaced by the O’Hara’s Battery completed in 1890 when a 6” breech loading gun was installed. In 1901 was this gun replaced by a 9.2” Mark X breech loading gun.
