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It will be convenient to consider these services seriatim :-
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(a.) It is obvious, in the first instance, that if the "Protector is to be effectively manned in war, with its full complement of 120, a comparatively small number of trained men will be available for the various other duties proposed. The duties of the Protector are stated in the note at the top of p. 11 of the Scheme to be the protection of commerce, resistance to direct attack upon any portion of the Colony, action in conjunction with the forts, &c. The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the duties of this ship should be confined to action within St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs at any point which is threatened by an enemy, and more especially where there are no fixed defences. The presence of the "Protector' " within the waters of the gulfs will, for instance, protect Port Pirie and Wallaroo.
(b.) It is stated in paragraph 3 on p. 11 of the Scheme, that the Officer Commanding Port River will have charge of all boats and armed vessels detailed for that purpose, and that detailed orders are in preparation for the effective concert of river defences with Fort Largs. The Com- mittee are unable to look with favour on the combined action of guns on shore and in boats, which is apparently here contemplated. It is difficult to see how the proposed armed vessels can act outside the entrance to the Port River without interfering with the fire of the fort, or what useful purpose they are likely to effect inside that river. There can be no naval defence of the river in addition to the fixed defence.
(c.) The Colonial Defence Committee have no definite information with regard to the mine-fields which it is proposed to lay. They would observe, however, that owing to the small depth of water it will not be advisable ever to use mines in the Port River, and they recommend that if any intention to do so is entertained, it should be abandoned.
(d.) With regard to the patrol of the waters from Cape Catastrophe to Backstairs Passage by suitable launches or small steamers, engaged for the purpose, referred to in paragraph 1, p. 11 of the Scheme, the Committee consider that, basing their opinion on the views held by the naval authorities, the system of patrolling by small vessels is so unreliable as rarely to promise any practical advantage, and that it might even prove harmful by engendering a false sense of security. In dark nights or thick weather patrol-boats will rarely, if ever, be able to give even short warning of an enemy's approach, and as in clear weather the area of water overlooked from them will be smaller than that which can be overlooked from moderate heights, natural or artificial, on shore, it may fairly be concluded that the cost and crews of patrol-boats can generally be more effectively employed in other branches of the defence.
(e.) The defence of the outer and inner anchorages, and the Traffic Regulations to be put in force in time of war, are the subject of a Report of the Local Defence Committee, dated the 11th September, 1896, which has only just reached the Colonial Defence Committee. The various points raised in this Report, and in that part of the Defence Scheme which it affects, will be dealt with later in a separate communication. It will suffice here to state that the defence of the outer and inner anchorages, if covered by the fire of guns, cannot profitably be assisted by boats or vessels, especially at night, and that the boarding arrangements involved by the Traffic Regulations should not be worked as an armed service, and should be carried out by the port authorities.
(f) Signal-stations are useful, but if too far off cannot give notice of intended attacks, and can merely report the general movements of the enemy. A Scheme should be drawn up for establishing stations at such distances that warning of an intended attack may be given. The question as to how far these stations can be economically manned by the naval forces of the Colony will be dealt with in the further communication mentioned above. It will be apparent, however, from what has already been said, that the main work of the naval force will be the efficient manning of the "Protector" for work in the gulfs.
5. Finally, the Colonial Defence Committee would point out that the Scheme, as it at present stands, deals only in very general terms with the dispositions to be made for utilizing the South Australian Forces for the
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