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343
should be made very strong, so as to serve as the core of the defence on this side. The position on Kowloon Peninsula would be much strengthened if gun-boats were placed at each extremity of the strip of neutral ground, or, failing this, the positions might be denied to an enemy by closing the Stonecutter-Kowloon Channel with sunken junks, and sub- marine mines, and by a judicious use of the latter at the head of Kowloon Bay.
Appendix No. 4.
HONG KONG.
*
The existing defences may be placed in an efficient state, including inclosing
the gorges
£
8,100
£
If the emplacements be modified to receive 9-inch guns, and the works
made thoroughly defensible, the cost will be
11,820
Guns
19,696
Total
31,516
The scheme of defence advocated above is estimated as follows:-
1. Works
2. Guns
3. Submarine mines
4. Infantry posts
Total
..
•
•
£
73,920
65,178
19,000
4,000
162,098
Nothing has yet been said with regard to the garrison necessary for the scheme of defence advocated above.
Four hundred and twenty artillery are required for the service of the batteries, but one-fourth may be infantry, and one-third of the remainder gun Lascars, or (say)—
Two batteries Royal Artillery
•
One battery gun Lascars
ỡ ở
Sixty infantry
The four posts in Victoria should have each 100 men-in all Kowloon West should have a garrison of
Stonecutter's Island
12
93
..
**
And there should be a disposable force in Victoria of at least Add half a company Royal Engineers, for submarine mines and general service And a mounted contingent of
Total
Cavalry Artillery Engineers Infantry
Men.
240
120
60
400
200
200
1,000
60
200
200
360
60
1,800
There is barrack accommodation in Victoria for 1,289 men, and accommodation for 150 men will be provided in the proposed works, exclusive of the two posts at Middle Hill and Mount Gough.
It will therefore be necessary to provide accommodation for 1,040 more, of which a considerable portion should be located near Kowloon West.
It is to be observed that the hut encampment which at one time existed has been abandoned as unhealthy, but this ground of objection may no longer exist.
The existing defences, though well placed, are so feeble that even a small expenditure in order to render them defensible on the land side cannot be recommended; they may, however, be armed with 9-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns of 12 tons at comparatively slight cost, as the present emplacements will take this gun, but the increase of efficiency gained thereby would scarcely justify the expenditure.
<<
Speaking generally, the points selected for defence must be the same whether the ports are used as 'ports of refuge," where ships may lie in security, or whether they are used as "depôts to be denied to an enemy.”
In the latter case, however, it may be possible to dispense with the battery at Bremer or Quarry Point, and with one of the batteries at Stonecutter's Island (Stonecutter East).
To facilitate comparison, the cost of the various defensive measures referred to in this paper are recapitulated below:-
1. Defences existing, completion of
2.
وو
modification for heavier guns
3. Defences to constitute a secure port of refuge
4. Defences for a depôt denied to an enemy
£
8,100
31,516
306,098+ 222,848
C. H. NUGENT, Colonel, R.E., and D. D. W.,
Fortifications.
(Signed)
October 21,
1879.
(Signed)
T. L. GALLWEY, Inspector-General of Forti-
fications.
December 23, 1880.
*Including two batteries at Stonecutter's but not at Belcher's Point.
Includes two gun-boats of "Comet" class, recommended by Colonial Defence Commission, and four torpedo- boats (44,000%); and 100,0001. for barracks for 1,000 men.
Includes 50,0001. for barracks for 500 men.
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Garrison,
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