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during times of peace, as they have little cargo-carrying capacity. I agree with Commander Johnstone Appendix No. 4. about the supply of torpedo-boats, and I have recommended their employment in paragraph 91 of my Report.*
As regards turret-ships, their cost alone, independent of other considerations, precludes their adoption, unless, indeed, the Imperial Government can spare a vessel, as they have done for Hong Kong. Such a vessel could supply the place of the new " Pluto" in the centre of the roads, and if her draught be not adjustable to bring her guns low down, she could lie behind the proposed covering screen and fire over it. The new "Pluto" should, under these circumstances, support Tanjong Katong batteries, from behind a similar screen constructed on the 2-fathom shoal. Let me here remark that, looking to the havoc made behind an iron plate when penetrated, that, if a strong turret be not provided, it would be preferable not to shut the guns up in this fashion, but to fight them from hehind splinter-proof sides. I think I am not wrong in saying that the turret of the "Huascar" demolished by a single shell.
was
Paragraph 6.—I agree with the ideas expressed in this paragraph, which contemplate that floating means may be used to supplement fixed means. The only question to be answered is: As floating means are not a matter of necessity, are we, as a Committee, justified in recommending the extra heavy expenditure involved in first cost and maintenance?
Paragraph 7.—I should say that they were useable rather than saleable. The "Wivern" has for long been laid up in ordinary, without any use being found for her, and even now her weak turrets will always be a source of danger to the detachments serving the guns (vide last paragraph). Commander Johnstone, at the close of paragraph 7, seems to anticipate that floating defences of this sort may have to give place to other defences; so that, considering their first cost (I notice that a plurality of idea runs through paragraph 7), and the fact that it is both unnecessary and unadvisable to defend l'enang and Malacca, I am of opinion that, if the Committee do not consider the plan proposed by me in the centre of the roads sufficient, and if the Imperial Government cannot supply a suitable ship instead, that we should propose that a sea fort be constructed, as the cost will be under that required for one of the floating batteries in question.
Paragraph 8.-I quite agree with Commander Johnstone.
Paragraph 9.-In this paragraph he gives me no reason for condemning my proposal in toto.
If it be a matter of fitting out and employing, when necessary, a Colonial Government steamer for defence purposes, I may remark that Sir William Jervois, R.E., has recommended a similar course to the Queensland Government, and that it was in connection with the considerations mentioned in paragraph 12 of this Report that I deliberately proposed a scheme by which the Colony could make certain of the necessary floating means of defence in the presence of their own vessel.
If it be a question of rise and fall of tide, I have to point out that I have provided for this, as explained in paragraph 92 of my Report.*
If it be a question of the utility of a screen, I have only to point out that a similar arrangement in shore batteries is regarded as one excellent means of keeping a battery intact. If, then, such a device be adopted for a situation where a single hit is of not much account, still more is it desirable where every hit is of importance-may be, fatal. I should have imagined that a plan would have been appreciated which covers the vitals of a ship, whilst her guns can fight over it.
If it be a question of silting up, I submit that there are numerous groynes running out from shore in the shape of fishing stakes, which would tend to silt up the anchorage more than any small covering mole on the edge of the shallow water. On the contrary, in such a position there would be more likely a scour on either side. A sea fort, which Commander Johnstone speaks of in paragraph 4, would, if anything, create more silting up, owing to its greater depth; but, even in this case, I do not consider we would find it realized. If, therefore, the Committee consider the proposed plan sufficiently powerful as regards armament, I am prepared to stand to my recorded opinion.
H. E. Mc CALLUM, Captain, R.E.
(Signed)
SINGAPORE
January 12, 1881.
(Confidential.)
Inclosure 13 in No. 74.
The Necessity for Floating Defences for Singapore.
I BEG to lay before the Committee some remarks on the necessity of movable defences for the protection of Singapore.
2. I attach so much importance to these defences, that, should the question of expense prove an obstacle, I even recommend that money should be saved on the proposed alterations to the present land fortifications, in order to allow floating ones to be provided.
3. I will consider:-
I. The need for floating defences.
II. The nature of them.
III. Their utility, and the question of their lightening the work of the land fortifications.
I.
4. Firstly, the situation of Singapore is peculiarly disadvantageous for the protection of itself and its shipping by batteries. This is due to the straggling nature of the Settlement, with its many points of attack, and to the position of the town behind a shallow bay, many vessels being obliged to anchor almost beyond effective reach of the guns on shore.
* Inclosure 15 in No. 74.
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