CHAPTER VII (J).
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184
2. You are also to make yourself acquainted with the whole of the Naval Defence Scheme of Hong Kong.
3. You are to make yourself familiar with the action to be taken by you in peace, and on receipt of the "Warning" telegram. Any suggestions for improving these Orders are to be brought to the notice of the Commodore through the Naval Secretary, reaching him on the first day of each quarter.
4. You are, as far as possible, to have all letters, telegrams, written orders, and other communications prepared in time of peace, so that there may be no delay in giving effect to these instructions.
5. In connection with the local defence of Hong Kong you have command of all the torpedo craft, and are responsible under the orders of the Commodore that no hostile vessel enters the western entrance at night.
6. The employment of the flotilla at the commencement of hostilities, for the duties. detailed below, will depend entirely on the number of ratings available from other vessels in port.
7. The Commodore will, however, keep the Governor and the Fortress Commander informed of his proposed actions as far as possible, particularly in the event of a departure from the arrangements laid down herein.
8. The torpedo-boat flotilla consists of "Taku" and four torpedo-boats Nos. 035, 036, 037, and 038.
Tentra
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9. The action detailed here is to provide a patrol and line of defence for the western
entrance.
This will be carried out by a system of patrols between certain points.
10. On receipt of the order for the flotilla to mobilize you will proceed to Kowloon Depôt.
11. The crews will be detailed for their boats, and sent to Kowloon by "Tamar." The details of the crews are shown in table on page 183.
12. Stores will be drawn as laid down in "Orders for Commissioning Torpedo Craft on receipt of 'Warning' Telegram" on pages 183 and 184.
13. Lieutenant (T) of "Tamar” will fit the pistols before the flotilla sails.
14. When complete, "Taku " is to secure alongside "Wivern" the remaining four torpedo-boats securing outside Kowloon Camber.
15. You will report to the Commodore by signal when complete.
16. Reports, when outside the harbour, are to be made through the Port War Signal Station.
17. The torpedo-boat flotilla is to return to the base at sunrise, after receiving permission from the Port War Signal Station to pass in.
18. You will receive daily, at 4 P.M., the secret signal for the next day from the Signal Officer to the Commodore.
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19. The crew of "Taku" will live in Wivern."
20. Stores are provided at Kowloon Depôt.
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