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Redoubt and the south end of the land-spit at Finlay Cove. Any vessel passing this line without a permit should be fired on by York Redoubt, which would be a warning to the batteries at Ives' Point, Point Pleasant, and such of the guns of Fort McNab as can be brought to bear to also come into action.
The orders to the O.C., York Redoubt, should be precise and positive on this point.
In the case of British war-ships, all that is requisite is for them to make the prearranged signal; this signal should be answered at once.
4. Booms. The boom at Point Pleasant Shoal is unnecessary; the mine- field by itself gives ample protection.
The boom to close the Eastern Passage would be difficult to defend if placed at Lawler Island. It should be placed at the northern end of the passage, where it can be more easily protected by gun-fire and be illumined from Fort Clarence. Also, the length of a boom there will be less than the sum of the length of the two booms necessary at Lawler Island. A single boom with E.C. mines in front of it should suffice.
The provision of this boom need not, however, be considered for the present. When it becomes necessary to provide it, the duty will, in accordance with the decision of the Joint Naval and Military Committee, approved by the Admiralty and War Office, be entirely for the naval authorities. It may be observed that there will be little likelihood of an attack by torpedo-boats except when men-of-war are in the harbour.
5. Defence Lights. The proposed installation at Sandwich Point is un- necessary; and the proposed installation at George Island is open to objection, as the beam would shine directly down the friendly channel, and might possibly interfere with its navigation.
The electric installations should be as follows :—
(a.) A pair of fixed beams at Fort Clarence, viz., one of 30° divergence to illumine the mine-field at Point Pleasant Narrows, and one of 16° divergence to bear on the Eastern Passage.
(8.) A pair of fixed beams at the existing installation at Point Pleasant, both of 30° divergence, to illumine the mine-field and main channel.
(y.) One fixed beam below York Redoubt of 16° to 20° divergence to bear
on the examination anchorage in McNab's Cove.
All projectors should be fitted with interchangeable lenses to allow of the
beams being concentrated in thick weather.
The foregoing should, it is thought, sufficiently illumine the mine-field
and the field of fire of the Q.F. guns.
6. Q.F. Guns. The following additional guns should be provided:-
Point Pleasant
1 machine-gun.
ƒ4 Q.F.
South end of George Island
3 Q.F.
2 machine-guns.
All these Q.F. guns should be mounted in barbette.
The 6-pr. Q.F. guns at Ives' Point for the defence of the mine-field, now mounted in casemates, might remain as mounted for the present.
The close defence of any boom at the Eastern Passage will rest with that part of the movable armament which is stationed at Fort McNab, consisting of 4 9-pr. R.M.L. and 2 machine-guns.
Illuminated sights will shortly be supplied for all Q.F. guns.
7. With regard to the remarks on heavy armament, the Colonial Defence Committee learn that the second 10" B.L. gun for Fort McNab is part of its approved armament, and that the site recommended for the new heavy howitzer battery is the site already fixed for it.
It has been decided that the provision of Q.F. armament at each fortified port shall, as a general rule, take precedence over the completion of the approved heavy armament for that port.
8. Pages 6 and 8. Harbour-master to be an Executive Naval Officer. This is unnecessary. A local Harbour-master as at present should suffice for the duties of the post under any circumstances, whether a naval force be present or not.
9. Guard-boats.-These are wholly unnecessary. In their Kemarks of
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