278 ACCOUNT OF CELEBES , AMBOYNA, &C.

The curtain, or battery, which runs north from the eafternmoft land-baftion, is metby a fimilar one coming from the eafternmoft fea-baftion, making an obtufe angleof between ninety and one hundred degrees, fo that the line of defence of the eaftern-moft land-baftion runs exactly upon this angle; and the flanks of thefe baftions aretherefore without defence, which is an unpardonable fault in the fir ft con ft ruction ofthe fort, as the nature of the ground did not require this irregular mode of fortification :Mr. Von Wagner intended to remedy this fault, as much as poflible, by making adetached baftion before the angle made by the two batteries, by which thefe two flankswould be defended.

From the demi-baftion on the weft fide, a battery runs northward, and being metby another coming from the wefternmoft fea-baftion, they form together an invertedobtufe angle.

The fea-baftions, which are liable to be attacked by the greateft force, are carriedup fomewhat higher, and are rather larger than the others; they are covered withbonnets in the middle of their faces, in order to be the better provided againft anenfilade.

A horn-work extends before thefe baftions, and covers the curtain between them ;its projecting angles command the fhore both above and below the caftle, by which a, landing any where near it is rendered very difficult, if not impoffible.

All thefe works are built of brick, for which purpofe many brick-kilns have beenereCted here, where very good bricks are made.

They were then about making a covered-way, to begin from the flank of the wefternfea-baftion, and to run round the fortrefs to the other fide of the eaftern fea-baftion.

The whole is encircled by a wet ditch, which is the fame that formerly run roundthe outworks of the old fort.

This is certainly the belt fortification belonging to the Company, that I have feen,in India . Yet it is by no means favourably fituated on account of the near neigh-bourhood of the Roodenberg, and the lownefs of its fcite, by which, in my opinion,it would not be able to make any long or effectual refiftance, if the enemy were oncelanded, and could get their artillery on fhore, fo as to erect batteries on the furround-ing heights.

The fame defeCt occurs likewife on the fide that looks towards the bay; for fhips,if properly moored, can enfilade moft of the lines of defence at h gh water; the waterrifing here in fpring tides full ten feet; and the horn-work, which is full one-halflower than the main body of the place, is confequently ftill more expofed.

I purpofely add the fuppofition that the fhips be properly moored ; for the greateftftrength of the place refts upon the impracticability of bringing fhips to attack it ina proper fituation. As there is no anchoring ground except clofe' to the fhore, thefhips are expofed to the fire of forty or fifty pieces of heavy artillery long before theyare able to let go their anchors, and put fprings upon their cables, in order to haulthe veffels round ; and all this is not fo eafily done under fuch a fire, if the artilleryupon the batteries be but well ferved.

The nature of the bay too, the prevailing winds which blow here, and the calmswhich are not unfrequent, together with the ftrong currents fetting continually in andout of the bay, are formidable obftacles to prevent fhips from forming their attackwhilft under fail, and much more from making good a landing here; for which reafona landing muft be attempted at a more convenient place, which might perhaps be found,either in the bight near Hamahoefe, or in the Portuguefe bay.

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