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(1.) Being so retired, the observation mines could not be fired with accuracy, especially on a misty morning.
(2.) The cables would have to be longer, and would be more exposed to being cut by a party landing.
(3.) That it is not under such a heavy fire from the forts as the Tanjong Pagar spit, so that, if a party landed, it could find cover, and could make deliberate preparations for cutting the cable or storming the firing-station.
(4.) It would be exposed to fire from a distance.
7. The advantages of the Tanjong Pagar Station are :----
Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
Advantages of station
(1.) That its position would be impossible for an enemy to make out, and being behind the behind breakwater. breakwater, and being bomb-proof, it would be safe from distant fire, and only when the line of mines was passed would it be exposed to direct fire.
(2.) The cables being led in under water, it would be very difficult for a landing party to find them; they would be exposed to a heavy fire during the search.
(3.) The breakwater forms a very good protection to the cables, and the cabies would be protected from any creeping operations by it.
(4.) That the station shown in drawing could not be taken or destroyed by a sudden rush.
(5.) With the alterations as shown in the drawing, it could be used for firing locomotive torpedoes,
which would add greatly to the defence of this entrance.
mines.
8. In addition to the mines already laid down for the defence of this entrance, I would propose Proposed addition to two groups of four electro-contact mines, each 200 yards in advance of the present line, on the main line of ships entering the harbour, and would suggest also a third line, 150 feet in front of the present double line of electro-contact mines.
9. Dummy mines and heavy chains to protect the cable would also be plentifully used, and a Passive obstructions. passive obstruction might be made of rafts and the harbour buoys to prevent an enemy steaming straight into the New Harbour, which he would perhaps try if he had information of the passage defended by observation mines only.
The Buran Darat Passage.
10. The narrow passage between Blakang Mati East and the Buran Darat reef could be closed by passive obstructions without difficulty, and temporary mechanical mines might be used here.
Sinki Strait.
11. The Sinki Strait, which is never used by vessels, could also be closed easily by sunken vessels or piles.
The Western Entrance.
12. The western entrance is about 280 feet broad, and is defended by eight 500-lb. ground mines and six electro-contact mines.
The ground mines are arranged to be fired in the same way as those at the eastern entrance. The six electro-contact mines form one group. These mines are connected by a four-cored armoured cable to the firing station, which is situated in an excellent position on an almost vertical cliff, 60 feet above the level of the water.
13. I would, on account of the rate at which the tide runs at this entrance-sometimes 4 knots- Suggestion as to propose that it be defended entirely by ground mines, and as the firing station is directly above the defence. mine field, I think pairs or even single mines could be fired with great accuracy. This method of firing would require special sanction of the Home Authorities.
To carry out the defence in this way six extra ground mines would be required, and the six electro- contact mines could be used some 800 yards in advance of the present line, where the strength of the tide is considerably less.
14. In addition to the present defence, I would propose an advance line of two groups of four Proposed advance electro-contact mines, as shown on plan,* from 900 to 1,000 yards in front of the Mount Siloso Battery line. and the proposed Passir Panjang Battery. This would assist these batteries immensely should an iron- clad try to engage them at battering range, and would be very little extra expense.
Defence of the Roads by Submarine Mines.
15. As it is laid down in the new Manual that submarine mines should not be more than 1,000 yards in advance of the guns protecting the mine field, very little can be done for the defence of the
roads.
If the fort proposed on the shoal in front of the town be built, then a few mines could be laid about 1,000 yards in front of it, and the cables led into the fort. I would propose for this purpose four detached groups of four mines each. These could be led into the fort by a four-cored armoured cable, and would greatly assist in the defence of the passage between the outer shoal and Tanjong Katong, and would also considerably help Tanjong Katong and the proposed fort on the shoal when engaged by an iron-clad at close quarters.
Electric Lights.
16. Electric lights should be provided both for the eastern and western entrances of the New Harbour, and also for the proposed new fort on the shoal in front of the town when built.
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