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between Tanjong Katong and Mount Serpong.
Shoxl.
This shoal could be further defended by a system of electro-contact torpedoes, the torpedoes Toples on Outer themselves being protected by the concentrated fire of the works at Tanjong Katong, Monnt Serapong and Mount Palmer. The electric cables from the torpedoes could be laid to observation stations at Tanjong Katong and Blakan Mati without danger of their being dragged or broken by the anchors of friendly vessels. The weather is especially favourable at Singapore to admit of torpedoes being laid with exactness and with- out delay.
The proposals which I have made, will, if Future defence us carried out, provide for the defence of the New stratigical centre.
Harbour and Roadstead. If, at any future time,
it be thought desirable, a work might be con- structed on St. Jolm's Island, which, as before stated (page 3), would close the Straits of Malacca against non-armonrelad vessels.
ing the arutament of the works,
As I have previously stated the works which conditions determin- I have recommended are proposed for defence against three or four vessels, one or two of which would probably be ironclad. The low, free-bound turret vessels, carrying great thickness of armour. would be useless for service in these waters, if for no other reason than that the conditions of elimate are such as to render it out of the ques- tion to live in them. It is therefore only neces sary to provide against broadside vessels of a type similar to those now belonging to the maritime powers of Europe on the Eastern seas. The greatest thickness of armour is that carried by our own ironclad, the “Audacions," the battery of which is protected by six inches of armour, and the armament which I have proposed has refer- cuce to this condition.
Owing to the height and position of the pro- Nature of proposed posed works, I consider that the type of battery works.
that meets the requirements of the case, is
that adopted for the upper battery at Drake's Island, Plymouth. This is an open battery in which the guns have each a wide lateral range. Shelf rooms and expense magazines, together with lifts, are provided for the service of the guns. Store rooms, bobproof accommodation for troops, and tanks will also be constructed. The works should be rendered secure against assault by scarping the slopes in front or by excavating ditches, according to the conditions of the res pective sites. The ditches will be flanked by caponiers for musketry.
To assist the regular forces in working the guns, I would propose, in the event of this pro- jeet being adopted, to raise and train a body of 200 Artillery Volunteers or Gun Lascars. A fow trained then would also be required to work the torpedoes. With this assistance one battery
*Ju wy Men of 7th January, 1876, it was stated that it would be necessary to supplement by gun-boats the fixed defences at Singapore. By adopting the plui proposed in this menuo the imehour and rendistead will be protected without sach supplenica- Jury auf.
Garrison,
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Cost,
of Artillery, in addition to that now stationed in the Straits, together with a strong wing of Lufan- Try, would suffice for the garrison of the works. It is to be observed that there is a body of 100 armed Police at Singapore. Thus the increased establishment which would have to be maintain- ed by the Imperial Government at Singapore. as an Imperial coaling station, would be that of one battery only.
1 estiumte the cost of the proposed works and armaments approximately as follows:
Works Ammmments
£60,000
60,000
Torpedoes say
10,000
Total £130,000
or less than the rost of one ironclad turret ves-
sel.
W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
Singapore, 31st August, 1876.
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