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Defence Committee that " His Majesty's ships at Hong Kong must protect themselves against torpedo boats of all kinds." In my opinion they could not do so, especially when it is considered how the multiplication of small vessels discharging torpedoes increases in various navies. Such attacks, especially at night, are a constant danger of modern warfare, where ships are lying in any but a perfectly closed in anchorage. The eastern end of this harbour is only 500 yards across, but even that should have a boom in war time. The western end is as follows, consisting of three separate openings :-
(a.) Sulphur Channel, 500 yards, greatest depth 13 fathoms.
(b.) Green Island to Stonecutters, 2 miles and 2 cables, greatest depth 7 fathoms.
(c.) Stonecutters to Mainland, 5 cables, greatest depth 5 fathoms.
It is the western entrance that requires most preparation to close. I do not consider that! gun-fire can be made sufficient security against the entry of torpedo boats on a dark night, but that booms or obstacles are necessary for proper protection of the enormous value of British ships, men-of-war and mercantile, other craft, and dock entrances, &c., in Hong Kong Harbour.
3. My ideas would be—
For the east end a boom.
For the western entrances
(a.) A boom probably.
(b.). A series of junks or other craft, moored across, with booms, hawsers, or other obstacles
between them.
(c.) Much as for "b."
Besides the above, several steam launches to patrol at night and give warning of an approaching
enemy.
4. I would suggest for your Excellency's consideration the question of the Defence Committee again considering this subject and making proposals, as the whole scheme should, I think, be well digested and its details all arranged in readiness before war is imminent.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
E. H. SEYMOUR.
To his Excellency
SIR HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.,
Governor of Hong Kong.
Co
not thr
DMJ
How about it over
?P)
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