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8. General Remarks.
As regards the assistance to be expected from local levies, it may be mentioned that a force of Volunteer Artillery is in existence. If the drill-sheds were put in proper order, and an Adjutant appointed from the Royal Artillery, the number of efficients might be expected to reach a respectable figure. It would be desirable to have a school of instruction attached under the superintendence of the Officer commanding the Royal Artillery, and to give a small gratuity for certificates obtained.
It should be observed in connection with the land defence of the island, that the reservoir which supplies the town of Victoria with water is in an exposed position and might easily be destroyed by an enterprising enemy who had succeeded in landing at Aberdeen. This point is of great importance, and, if any comprehensive scheme of defence is to be carried out, the Committee is of opinion that a separate and independent reservoir ought to form a portion of the scheme.
Attached is a Memorandum from the Principal Medical Officer in the China command.*
It is there proposed that the War Department land at Stanley should be improved by stopping the cultivation of rice, and by planting trees on the slopes around.
The Committee is strongly in favour of these proposals. Stanley affords an admirable situation for a military cantonment, and it would be desirable to improve the site, in view of its being possibly required hereafter for that purpose.
Inclosure C contains a letter from Colonel Crossman to his Excellency the Administrator,† in which it is suggested that the naval and military establishments should be transferred to a large open space, which might be reclaimed from the sea at Causeway Bay, the barracks being placed on the hills adjoining.
The Committee find that it is impossible for them to examine carefully this proposal; but if no medical or sanitary objections exist, it would undoubtedly be a great advantage, from a military point of view, if the barracks, stores, and naval establishments could all be concentrated on one convenient site, apart from the houses occupied by the Chinese population.
Finally, it should be noticed that the system of submarine mines proposed would interfere with the telegraph line from Causeway Bay to Kowloon Dock. It would be necessary to lay this line afresh, and it would be advisable also to place Stonecutter's Island and Quarry Point in telegraphic communication with Hong Kong.
Signed at Hong Kong, October 11, 1881.
(Signed)
(Signed)
L. HALL, Brevet-Colonel, R.A., President.
W. M. DEANE, Hong Kong Civil Service, Acting
Colonial Secretary.
A. D. GEDDES, Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st Batt. Royal
Inniskilling Fusiliers.
J. A. PAPILLON, Lieutenant-Colonel, R.E.
J. GEO. JONES, Commander.
J. BURY, Captain, Acting A.M.S., Secretary.
Appendix No. 4.
HONG KONG.
Inclosure 4 in No. 99.
(Confidential.)
Defence of Hong Kong Harbour and Docks by Submarine Mines.
(The existing forts and batteries are assumed as completed, and those proposed by the present Defence Committee are assumed to be carried out practically as proposed.)
The defence of the harbour and docks may be divided into three sections, viz. :—
(i.) The eastern entrance.
(ii.) The western entrance.
(iii.) The entrances to the Aberdeen Docks, on the south side of the island.
In considering the defence, no dependence is placed in passive obstacles, as mines alone would be the most speedy and effective method; but when time permits they are recommended as auxiliary defences, after the mines have been laid out. The most effective passive obstructions would probably be sunken stone junks, piles, &c., in depths not exceeding 5 fathoms at low water.
Also, with regard to the small number of trained men at the station, it is very desirable to keep the scheme of defence as simple and limited as possible with a due regard to efficiency.
(i.) Eastern Entrance.
The Lyemoon Pass, at the eastern entrance, is unsuited for defence by submarine mines. The depth averages 25 fathoms at low water, and the tide here runs as much as 4 knots.
The Lyemoon Pass appears most favourable for defence by gun-boats, or steam-launches, with spar or locomotive torpedoes.
If it be considered necessary to defend this entrance by submarine mines, the most favourable line for defence is between Kowloon Dock and North Point Forts. These two forts flank the line of mines, and one gun on each fort is only from 50 to 60 feet above the sea-level.
A channel for friendly ships would be formed, 120 yards wide, and directed on the usual bearings of ships entering the harbour from the eastward. The depth in this channel is from 6 to 7 fathoms at low water, and the defence would be by 500-lb. ground mines, on the line of mines system.
The remainder of this line of defence would be formed by 100-lb. electro-contact mines, in depths
* Not printed.
† See Inclosure 2 in No. 98.
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