}:
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entrance were kept free to friendly ships, the Colonial Defence Committee are of opinion that the station should be called on to consider the possibility of so arranging the defence as to leave the Western Entrance open; also the necessity, if any, in that case of fixing a second examination anchorage outside it; and the possibility of providing the additional local examination staff that this arrangement would render requisite.
3. The eastern examination anchorage is suitable, but it may prove necessary to also fix a line, say Mount Serapong bearing west, not to be passed without permit by any vessel approaching the Eastern Entrance by the Peak Island channel.
There is no necessity for the receiving ship, nor the lines of tongkangs in the examination anchorage. The examination launches or steamers are of themselves quite sufficient.
4. With the exception of the examination steamers, no boats for immediate patrolling are required.
5. It is doubtful if the look-out steamer off Klang would prove of any real advantage. The look-out station near Changi or Johore Hill might possibly be of use if the signalling or telegraphic communication with Singapore proposed in the Defence Scheme could be established, but little or no advantage in regard of priority of intelligence could result from the employment of look-out steamers off the Sultan Shoal or of similar look-out steamers about the same distance on the east side of Singapore.
6. Mine-fields. The proposals in section II (B) regarding mine-fields are concurred in, viz., at Eastern Entrance all mines to be withdrawn and con- centrated behind the line between Tanjong Pagar Spit and Silinging Point, and at Western Entrance, if, as is hoped, it be decided to keep it open for traffic, behind the line between Passir Panjang and Siloso Points.
The mines should be worked from the islands as far as possible. The observation mines should be laid in pairs.
7. Booms should be provided as proposed, viz., across Sinki Straits and the South and Middle Channels, Eastern Entrance. This will limit the course of any "carried" torpedo-boats to the narrow channels of Western Entrance and north channel of Eastern Entrance. The defence of these two friendly channels against such torpedo-launches must depend on their Q.F. and machine-gun armament.
Booms should be behind, not in front, of the mine-fields.
In the case of most foreign ports there is little likelihood of a raid by torpedo-boats except when war-ships are lying in harbour, and then the provision of booms can be left to the navy, but the case of Singapore is somewhat different. Transports, mail-steamers, or other vessels of an Imperial importance, which would be an inducement to attack, might be lying in the harbour during the absence of a naval force, and as there is no naval dockyard on which the duties of the navy in respect of booms might devolve, it seems necessary that at Singapore the provision of these booms should lie with the military authorities.
Some small booms would appear necessary for the protection of the caissons of the Victoria and Albert Docks, but the provision of these would rest with the Dock Company.
8. Quick-Firing Armament.-At the Eastern Entrance, additional Q.F. and machine-guns should be provided for the close defence of the friendly channel. A portion of these might be placed on a fixed post on Timbaga Reef.
At the Western Entrance, Pulo Hantu would be a good site for quick- firing guns, but as the position is not absolutely essential, and the island is not War Department property, this site is not recommended. Additional quick-firing guns and machine-guns should be placed in Passir Panjang Battery, and also at Siloso, a portion of these latter being disposed for the close defence of the friendly channel.
The above would probably entail an increase of about six quick-firing and six machine-guns.
9. Defence Lights. The electric installations might be as follows:- (a.) At Teregeh three fixed beams each of 30 degrees divergence to illumine the mine-field and approach to the Eastern Entrance.
(b.) At foot of Mount Chermim two fixed beams to illumine the mine- field, Western Entrance.
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