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can acquire the corner marked O at Belchers Bay. It is ridiculous that a private individual (probably a foreigner) should have the power to interfere with the proper defence of the Colony and of Her Majesty's fleet on which the interests of the Empire depend. There is no other place equally well suited for the fixed light or the search- light at Belchers, which has had to be placed a great deal too high owing to the corner at O not being available.
3. The lights at Lyemun are only in temporary positions at present. The lights, when their best direction is determined, will be sufficient.
4. I would bring to notice that practice in searching for an enemy with the electric light is necessary. Under war conditions one officer in charge of the light could not possibly keep his attention fixed night after night on the objects lit up by the electric beam. Parties of officers and men of the R.A. would have to assist watching the objects coming into view, some with glasses and some with the naked eye. A system of relays of watchers should be established, and these should be practiced in peace time.
5. I do not think that torpedo-boats could be absolutely stopped without some system of obstruction in addition to the lights and fort guns, particularly in the wide channel between Belchers and Stonecutters.
I propose, therefore, on an idea emanating from the vice-admiral, that bays of junks (sixteen junks in a bay) 600 feet long be formed as follows:-
Each junk would take on board four 20-ft. rails, 82 lb. to the yard, with eight pairs of fish-plates and bolts complete. The junks to be sized, and sail out to a previously buoyed line of anchorages, O X V. Each junk to be 40 feet apart from centre to centre. The crews would anchor the junks with chain cable, stem to stern, and then join together with two lines of rails, bolted and fished together.
There would be a space of about 80 feet between each bay of sixteen junks.
These spaces
(a.) Would be made use of for passage of steam-launches patrolling.
(b.) Might be partly closed with large P. and O. or Admiralty barges with light guns on board and sandbag parapets.
(c.) May be closed by spare junks.
Whole bays might be towed out of line in the daytime for the regular traffic.
6. I would close the channel north of Stonecutters and Lyemun Pass in a similar manner. I think if there were sufficient junks in harbour (say 450) all three channels might be closed in one day (when the rails are obtained, say two lines each 5 miles long).
7. I append the report* of O.C.S.M., in which I generally concur.
L. F. BROWN, Colonel,
(Signed)
April 20, 1900.
*
Not received. (Secretary C.D.C.)
C.R.E., China.
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