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and imperceptibly, and in a way which Prize Courts would find difficult to detect, English capital might be easily invested in ships which would, to all appearance, be American. If it were found that ships could be more safely and profitably owned in the United States than here capital would, somehow or other, go to the United States to be expended in ships (2883, 2902).
After a war of short duration, commerce would pro- bably come back, but it must be remembered that, when a ship is transferred to another flag, she is subjected to the laws of the country to which she ostensibly belongs and hails from foreign ports, where she also repairs and refits. In course of time the ship, the workmen, the plant, and, finally, the trade itself, would be absolutely transferred. In such a case it is doubtful whether we should be able to get the trade back, and it is of the utmost consequence to prevent such a transfer. American shipping, which passed to us at the time of the Civil War, has not gone back to the United States (2886, 2900, 2903).
Transfer of Fast Steamers. It is most desirable that, on the outbreak of war, fast British steamers should not pass into the hands of a hostile Power.
There appear
to be ouly two means of preventing such ships from becoming the property of an enemy-one, by prevent- ing the sale to an enemy by law; the other, by bribing the owners not to sell. To stop the sale by law, either prospectively or on the outbreak of war, would have the effect of checking the building of such steamers for the future, or of driving them to a foreign flag. To diminish their saleability is to diminish their value. Nor would any such law be effective, as a ship might be trans- ferred when abroad and beyond our jurisdiction. To bribe the ship-owner not to transfer would be very costly, and more and more costly as the ships increase in number. One of these ships would be worth a great deal to an enemy, and we must outbid him if we mean to prevent his buying. It is, moreover, questionable whether ship-owners would submit to any arrangement which impeded their ordinary commercial operations (2893-2898).
*
616
Conclusion.-To sum up-1. We should by all means avoid maritime wars, especially with the United States and France. 2. We should endeavour to extend the operation of the three Rules of the Treaty of Washington, so as to get privateering abolished by the United States as well as by the rest of the world. 3. We should endeavour to get every possible impedi- ment put in the way of the fitting out and equipping of eruizers in neutral ports. 4. We ought to have good coaling-stations for our cruizers in those parts of the world most frequented by our own shipping. 5. We ought to have the means of rapidly fitting out cruizers to sweep the seas, if possible, of hostile cruizers. 6. It would be important to increase telegraphic communica- tion (2887, 2888).
June 1, 1880. FREDERICK THOMAS SARGOOD, Esq., Major of Victorian Field Artillery, representing the Colony of Victoria (2904).
Victoria constructed some years ago batteries at Sandridge and Williamstown, which are now pro- nounced useless, except against a boat attack. The Colony has maintained the "Cerberus and the "Nelson," and built the steam-sloop Victoria." During the last twenty years 2,800,000l. has been spent upon defences, including the expense of the troops during that period (2906-2910).
"
Progress of Defences.-The estimated expense of carrying out Sir W. Jervois' scheme of defence, which has been accepted by the Victorian Government without qualification, was 350,000l. The whole amount was included in a loan for 5,000,000%., and is available for carrying out the scheme in its entirety (2912, 2913, 2947-2952). The Government and Parliament of Victoria intend to push on the works with all reason- able speed (2960). Some progress has been made. The batteries on Queenscliff have, to a large extent, been finished. They mount two 80-pounders, and one or
more old 32-pounders. Sir W. Jervois recommended an armament of 10-inch guns, but they are not yet ordered. There are, however, six of these guns with carriages complete in Melbourne, and the batteries are sufficiently advanced to be armed with them. The works are being carried out in accordance with Sir W. Jervois' recom- mendations and under Colonel Scratchley's instructions (2914-2923). The batteries are built with concrete and basaltic stone of very close texture, nearly as hard as granite (2924–2926). temporary battery of earth, which it is intended to At Point Nepean there is a
Swan Island has been permanently reserved by Govern- modify, armed with two 80-pounders (2927-2928). ment; the work upon it has not been commenced, but it is to be put in hand. The fort is to be in lieu of one intended to be placed in the middle of the Channel. The iron for the fort and the guns have not beeu ordered (2935-2939, 3236).
Colonial Ships of War.-The "Cerberus" would be of great service in case of attack, but would not be able to go outside the harbour. She is not a sea-going vessel. The Admiral of the station has several times inspected the "Cerberus" (3005), and his Reports on the whole have been satisfactory. The examination has been severe, and the recommendations have been carried out, more particularly with regard to the steer- ing apparatus (2988, 2989).
The "Nelson" has lately been cut down and turned into a frigate at a cost of 40,000Z. She could go out- side the harbour and get up a speed of 5 or 5 knots. She is armed with 68-pounders and 32-pounders, but is more used as a Reformatory than for defence purposes. Sir W. Jervois considers that she would do well for covering torpedoes (3000-3004, 3006-3009). The "Victoria" is simply a surveying vessel (3010).
Permanent Naval Brigade. The permanent naval force numbers 217 men in all, under the command of Captain Manderville. The naval forces are fully paid, and there is no difficulty in keeping up their numbers. The force is composed of seamen belonging to the Colony (2984-2987, 2990, 2991).
Naval Reserve. In addition to the Naval Brigade is the Naval Reserve, numbering 218. This is also a permanent corps, and each man receives a retaining-fee of 127. or 147. per annum. The officers and men are drawn from the same classes as the permanent force. Officers are required to pass severe examinations, and no seaman is accepted who has not served as an "A.B." afloat, and is 5 feet 7 inches in height. The Naval Reserve men follow their own occupations, while the others give the whole of their time to the Government, and are paid proportionately. The Commander of the Naval Reserve is Chief Harbourmaster, and the First Lieutenant is one of the assistant harbour officers (2994-2997, 3011, 3012, 3251).
Torpedo Corps.-The Volunteer Torpedo Corps con- sists of twenty-four men, drawn from scientific classes and artizans. Like the other volunteers, they are allowed 27. 10s. per man per annum, and can leave at fourteen days' notice. The training of the Torpedo Corps is more scientific than a drill. The members meet in the evening to discuss scientific subjects per- taining to their branch of the service. The command- ing officer has charge of the observatory, and the second in command bas charge of the telegraph department (2962-2973). There was a good deal of discontent among the men lately, owing to the command of the Corps being transferred to the Commander of the "Cerberus." With the exception of materials for practice, there are no torpedo stores in the Colony. The Corps practice laying down mines as often as possible. Their boat is manned by the crew of the "Cerberus (2953, 2974-2980).
It was pro- posed to order a torpedo-boat 85 feet long, but nothing has yet been done (2954-2959, 3317).
Permanent Artillery. — The permanent artillery force numbers 180 officers and men, The men are sworn in for one year, and are divided into two classes. Class A receive 5s. a-day with uniform and quarters. Class B get 28. a-day with rations, uniform, quarters, fuel, light, and, if married, 1s. a-day lodging
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