Page 268
Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
210
The only useful sites for forts, viz., at Mount Palmer and Tanjong Katong, leave what is practically a dead angle of fire in the middle of the bay.
This dead angle could alone be filled and the shipping covered by a fort built in the sea or by a war vessel.
Secondly, it would, at present, be very easy for a squadron to attack and destroy Fort Tanjong Katong unmolested by any other fire.
Thirdly, Mount Palmer might similarly be attacked singly.
Fourthly, there is a point in the New Harbour in which at present a vessel having forced an entrance might lie, and, almost untouched, destroy all the surrounding coal stores. This point would hardly be affected by the proposed strengthening of the present forts.
Fifthly, the many outlying islands afford good shelter for an enemy making preparations and also refitting when partially disabled, without going far away, and they are so many weak points in the defence.
II.
5. I consider that the strength of the floating defences should be at least four 8-inch guns and two torpedo boats.
The most efficient form that the gun defences could take would be two small turret ships for harbour service, of an improved "Gorgon" type, each carrying two guns in one turret, of very light draught and going a moderate speed, say 10 knots. In case such vessels were decided
on, the guns might conveniently be much heavier ones than 8-inch.
If the question of expense were deemed insurmountable, I should recommend that four gun-boats of the "Staunch" class should be employed. Each of the gun-boats carries an 8-inch gun; the vessel is very small (180 tons displacement), fights end-on, and would be extremely difficult to hit.
They are built in many compartments, so that the risk of sinking from a single shot is very remote.
In time of peace their guns could be removed and the vessels probably turned to useful account in some way in the Straits. These gun-boats would probably be made in England, sent out in pieces, and put together here.
Either class of vessel (the turret ships and the gun-boats) being of very light draught could retire close in-shore, and might easily be defended from torpedo attack at night by booms, &c., kept prepared for them to retire behind.
III.
In case of an attack by a hostile fleet four extra heavy guns could be brought to bear in any required direction, say to support Mount Siloso, to support Blakang Mati East, to occupy the space between Tanjong Katong and Mount Palmer, to support either of those two forts, and to dislodge vessels from the New Harbour or from behind the islands.
Their use in dividing the direction of fire of the enemy's guns, from whatever quarter, would be of great importance.
It will be observed that they would be able to move by the shorter line from one extremity of the defences to the other.
It is obvious that if any one of the batteries is made of sufficient strength by itself to resist an attack, its work will be very much lightened by the co-operation of vessels.
"
7. Well constructed floating batteries are certain, whilst the present mode of fighting continues, to command a market value; the present efficiency of Her Majesty's ship "Wivern is a notable proof of this. They could also be available for removal to other points in the Straits in case they were superseded by other defences at Singapore.
8. In addition to the before-mentioned floating batteries or gun-boats, offensive torpedo boats, in charge of skilful persons, would be most useful. If efficient officers and crews for them could be made sure of, I should strongly recommend the employment of two such boats; as, however, it would be impossible to keep such crews in proper practice in time of peace, I think it would be better merely to have some simple outrigger torpedo gear provided ready to be used in the local steam launches on the first breaking out of war, and until more efficient boats and practised crews could be provided. Torpedo warfare is in such a transition state at present, that the newest style of torpedo boat at the present moment might be almost obsolete in a year or two.
9. It seems proper, in conclusion, to add that, with regard to the suggestions of Captain McCallum, R.E., in Articles 91, 92, and 93 of his Report,* I think the alteration of the colonial steamer, and its employment as a war vessel, would be unsatisfactory in every way.
The screen proposed would be of doubtful utility, owing to the rise and fall of the tide, and it is very questionable whether such an obstruction would not cause an accumulation of silt, and, conse- quently, damage the anchorage.
A fixed object of that sort would also be a useful landmark for the enemy.
at
'Egeria,” at Singapore, December 30, 1880.
(Signed)
* Inclosure 15 in No. 74.
Page 268
Page 268
C. JOHNSTONE, Commander.
Page 268
Page 268