MENGATASI ZAGRANGEMEN
Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. August 11, 1896.
Page 182
SECRET.
ESQUIMALT.
¡ G. 2422.
Admiralty No.
3234.
Report on Electric Lights and Quick-firing Guns.
By Major MUIRHEAD, R.E., and Lieutenant BOOTHBY, R.N.
!
1
1
!
Sir,
Covering Letter of Admiral.
"Royal Arthur," at Esquimalt, April 5, 1896.
G. 6982 WITH reference to their Lordships' letter
of the 18th February 912 last on the Mine Defence of Esquimalt, I request you will inform their Lordships that the position of the minefield, as shown on chart No. 576, is the only practicable one, as it effectually closes the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour.
2. I forward herewith a joint Report on the defence of the minefield, with plans,* by Major Muirhead, Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant (T.) W. O. Boothby, of Her Majesty's ship "Royal Arthur."
3. The only observations I have to offer on this Report, in which I fully
concur, are on-
(i.) The position of the test house for the minefield; (ii.) The necessity for two extra Q.-F. guns; and (iii.) The necessity for one extra search light.
With regard to the position of the test room, the advantage of having it attached to the observing station at point (A), shown on plan No. 1, in preference to the alternative position marked (D), is, that being under one roof it is more convenient, and obviates the danger of any complications arising between the observer and operator, which, I consider, outweighs the additional expense entailed, of concealing the building by sinking it in the rock.
Two additional 6-pr. Q.-F. guns on the proposed sites, marked (J) and (K) in yellow on plan No. 1, should be authorized for the additional protec- tion of the minefield, and the coast-line between Macaulay Point and the Naval Yard, which is so accessible for boats.
An additional search light placed on Cape Saxe, as shown in marginal plan of plan No. 2, marked (L) in yellow, would light up all the small bays and indentations in the coast, both towards the Dockyard as well as Macaulay Point, that are out of reach of the search light on Rodd Hill.
The isolated position of this light is an objection, but I would suggest it being included in the estimate, and sent out to be kept until a more suitable site is found for its erection, on the completion of the works.
4. With reference to the fifty-eight submarine mines mentioned in their Lordships' letter, some spare ones should be supplied to replace defective
*Not reproduced. The various sites indicated on plans Nos. 1 and 2 are approximately shown on the small scale lithograph annexed to this Report. (SECRETARY, C.D.C.)
[741]
B
Page 182;
35
Page 182
*