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4. Paragraph (C). Defence against Torpedo Craft.--The best method of meeting the danger of an attack by Chinese torpedo-boats from Whampoa would be to capture or destroy them at once at the outset of a war with that Power. As it may be anticipated that this course will be adopted by the Naval Commander-in-chief on the station, the Colonial Defence Committee cannot concur in the proposal to provide a protective enclosure or "zariba near Victoria Dockyard. If the Chinese torpedo-boats are a real danger, until they are put hors de combat our war-vessels might find it possible to lie in Tytam Harbour, or in some other bay on the south side of the island. It is understood that there is a good road across the island from Victoria to Tytam.
It has lately been decided by the Admiralty and War Office that war- ships when lying at anchor shall provide for their own protection against torpedo-boats of the class carried by ships; and the Colonial Defence Com- mittee recommend that a copy of the conclusions of the Joint Naval and Military Committee, with regard to attack by the two classes of torpedo- boats, should be communicated to the station.
The protection of dock gates or caissons is not considered in the Report. The provision of suitable contrivances to prevent a Whitehead torpedo being exploded in contact with them would appear desirable, as it would be quite worth while for a torpedo-boat to make such an attempt on them. The actual provision of the protective arrangement would naturally rest with the Dock Companies.
5. Q.F. Guns.-The Committee are informed that a proposal to sub- stitute two 47-inch Q.F. guns for the three 64-pr. R.M.L. guns in South Shore Battery and two 6-in. B.L. howitzers for the two 64-pr. R.M.L. guns in Lycmun Central Battery is at present under consideration by the War Office. Otherwise, the secondary armament seems quite sufficient. Some of the alterations proposed in the Report are advocated, it is observed, on the ground that a low site is preferable to a high site for Q.F. guns. This principle is at present a subject of some controversy, and the view expressed in the Report is by no means universally accepted.
6. Paragraph (D). Defence Lights.-The proposed positions of the dis- persed beams at Lyemun and Belchers are objectionable. They would interfere with the navigation of ships entering by the Lyemun Pass or the Sulphur Channel.
Installations as follows should, it is thought, be sufficient :-
One at east end of Lyemun Pass consisting of two fixed beams, each of about 40° divergence, bearing towards north and west so as to illumine the entire mine-field and yet not interfere with vessels entering. If a vessel were leaving the lights might be temporarily switched off.
One at the salient angle of Praya, consisting of one fixed beam of 30° divergence to bear on the Friendly Channel and Nos. 2 and 3 Mine-fields; and of one beam capable of searching and assisting in the examination of vessels. One at the most southerly point of Stonecutters' Island, consisting of one fixed beam of about 15° divergence to assist in the illumination of Nos. 2 and 3 Mine-fields.
If thought necessary, one beam capable of searching might be added to the Lyemun installation to assist in the examination of vessels outside Lyemun; also the existing installation at South Shore might be retained as a search beam for the northern portion of the western entrance. Neither of these lights, however, though they would form a desirable addition, appear to be absolutely essential for purposes of a directly defensive nature.
W. PEACOCKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
(Signed)
July 23, 1894.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. KARRISON,—25/7/94.
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