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Appendix No. 4.
SINGAPORE.
Submarine mines.
Table 4.
Blakang Mati Island,
Serapong Redoubt.
3 40-pr. guns.
Cost-
Work Armament
Garrison, 100 men.
•
Imbeah Redoubt.
1 machine-gun.
Cost-
Work
Armament
Garrison, 50 men.
Batteries.
Infantry, 100 men.
·
£
264
The same remarks that were made concerning the very approximate nature of any estimate that can at present be made of the cost of the work required for foundations at Tanjong Paggar equally apply to the central fort.
I have not gone into any details connected with these last named sea defences, as they would come under the head of works of the large and expensive character which the Royal Commissioners on Colonial Defences do not anticipate.
Considering the large and increasing revenue of the Colony, it would only seem reasonable that this part of the defences should be provided at Colonial expense.
I would add, that unless an intermediate work is constructed between Tanjong Katong and Tanjong Paggar, it would be well to dismantle the battery at the first- named place; it is of no use as regards the defence of the new harbour, and in its present state is more an element of weakness than of strength.
The Reports of Lieutenant Rhodes, R.E., are well and carefully drawn up.
I endorse his recommendations generally; the few remarks* I have to make con- cerning matters of detail will be found in the margin of the Reports.
Sea Defences, Naval.
To prevent any landing on the shore of the island abutting on the Johore Straits, the most effective means would be to have at each end of the channel two steam launches carrying machine guns and spar-torpedoes.
A gun-boat stationed in the Straits would also be of material assistance, and if light guns can be mounted on the new colonial steamer, she might be made available for this service.
In addition to what may be provided for the defence of Johore Straits, gun-boats will be required to protect the submarine mines, particularly at the eastern entrance to the new harbour, where, as pointed out by Commander Johnstone, the mines are not efficiently protected by batteries so far apart as those at Blakang Mati East and Mount Palmer.
Even if a battery be constructed at Tanjong Paggar, it would still be desirable to have a gun-boat, as it has been recognized as a general principle that gun-boats form a most important adjunct to submarine mining defence.
Two would therefore be required, one at each entrance, and if the expense be not too great, they should be of the same class as that recommended for Hong Kong, viz., of the Chinese "Greek Alphabet" type.
Two steam launches fitted with machine guns and spar-torpedoes should also be provided for each mine-field, and spare fittings for eight more to be applied when wanted to such steam launches on the spot belonging to private individuals as could be used on an
emergency.
The naval requirements are:-
1 Gun-boat or colonial steamer for Johore Straits.
4 launches fitted with machine-guns and spar-torpedoes for ditto.
2 gun-boats; and,
4 similar launches for protection of mine-fields.
Spare fittings for 8 more launches.
Cost:This can be better ascertained at home; according to the estimate given for what is
proposed at Hong Kong, it would amount to about 100,0007.
Land Defences.
To secure the possession of Blakang Mati Island redoubts are proposed at Mount Serapong and Mount Imbeah, the former being the most important of the two, as from it 3,000 a command can be obtained over the greater portion of the island, and over the inner 1,800
anchorage; as recommended in the War Office Memorandum,† it should be armed with 4,800 three medium guns.
£
::}
1,000
Singapore Island.
The redoubt at Mount Imbeah might be provided with a machine-gun, in addition to the fire of musketry.
Garrison of Mount Serapong
Mount Imbeal
"J
Men.
100
50
It would be advisable to provide another company of infantry to aid in the defence of the sea batteries against any sudden attack.
Total Infantry for the island
250 men.
The following extracts from the Report of the Committee, paragraphs 51 to 60, point out the various landing-places and the obstacles to the advance of an enemy before he has arrived in front of the main position to be occupied :
"Places where an Enemy might land a Force.
"51. There are three places where a force might be landed out of range of fire of the forts :-
tr
"(1.) Eastwards of the roads along the sandy beach that extends from Tanjong Katong to Tanah Merah Besar.
(2.) At the back of the island, at either Changi, Sirangun, Seletar, or Kranji, where the four main roads crossing the island terminate at the small villages of these names on the Johore Strait.
<<
(3.) To the west of the new harbour along the beach at Passir Panjang.
* Not printed.
+ No. 77.
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Inclosure 2 in No. 74.
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