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8. On the experience of this practice, I would therefore now suggest for the defence of Appendix No. 4. Singapore :-
2 Officers of the Royal Engineers.
16 trained non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Engineers, and 30 native boatmen. Two officers I consider absolutely necessary, for the following reasons :-
(1.) The few number of trained men.
(2.) That one officer should be on shore and one in the launch when laying mines.
(3.) That each firing station should have an officer.
(4.) That in case of a casualty through fever or death there is one left to carry on the scheme of defence.
Sixteen trained non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Engineers are the least number, I think, with which an efficient defence could be carried out. With 14 men during the practice we found ourselves continually shorthanded. If a section of the Submarine Mining Company could be spared, it would not be too much to ask for.
A g
SINGAPORE.
Number of trained
men required.
9. The 30 Malays would be formed as an auxiliary corps, and could be used in manning the boats Auxiliary corps. and in laying out and picking up the mines. The establishment of boats would be manned by Malays
thus:-
2 Launches
1 Torpedo-lighter
2 Pinnaces
3 Gigs or dinghies
::::
The
pay
would be as follows:-
::::
Engine-drivers.
Stokers.
Coxswains.
Deck-hands.
2
2
4
1
1
6
2
4
6
3
3
4
20
per
month
month
3 Engine-drivers, at 25 dollars 3 Stokers, at 15 dollars month
per 4 Coxswains, at 15 dollars
per 20 Men, at 10 dollars per month
For four months
Total
Clothing for Malays at 5 dollars each
Total cost of thirty natives for four months
::::
:
::::
Dollars.
75
45
60
200
380
1,520
150
1,670
Or 3067. 3s. 4d. at 3s. 8d. the dollar.
To keep the men in the place, I would suggest that they report themselves on the 1st of every month to the Royal Engineer's Officer, and should receive a small sum, say a dollar, for doing so.
(Signed) E. F. RHODES, Lieutenant, R.E., Commanding Royal Engineers and Superintending Submarine Mining.
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Singapore, February 14, 1881.
Inclosure 5 in No. 74.
(Confidential)
Sir,
Captain McCallum, R.E., to Lieutenant-Colonel Parnell, C.B.
Penang, January 15, 1881.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have received the following printed papers from Singapore relative to the defences of that port:-
I. Report on Fort Mount Siloso.
II. Report on Blakang Mati South, Blakang Mati East, and Mount Serapong.
III. Report on Mount Palmer Battery.
IV. Report relative to Passir Panjang and Tanjong Katong, by Major Hannen, R.A.
Unfortunately, I have not received copy of Report by Lieutenant Rhodes, R.E., alluded to therein, and I can therefore only examine the recommendations as they stand, without reference to his expressed opinions. This I do, however, without delay, as I understand the Committee have recommenced their sittings, and they might, therefore, like to know whether, as an individual member, I concur in, or differ from, the views of other members with whom I have not had the advantage of discussion at the sites of the various works.
[1103]
I have, &c. (Signed)
H. E. MCCALLUM, Captain, R.E.
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