(1)
If the fort proposed on the shoal in front of the town be built, then a few mines could be laid about 1,000 yards in front of it, and the cables led into the fort. I would propose for this purpose four detached groups of four mines each. These could be led into the fort by a four-cored armoured cable, and would greatly assist in the defence of the pussage between the Outer Shoal and Tanjong Katong, and would also considerably help Tanjong Katong and the proposed fort on the shoal when engaged by an ironelad at close quarters,
16.
Electric Lights.
Electric lights should be provided both for the Eastern and Western entrances of the Now Harbour and also for the proposed new fort on the shoal in front of the town when built.
Guard-boats,
17. As regards guard-bouts, I cannot do better thon quote trom the new Manual: Thut the protec- tion of mines must be further supplemented by steam guard-bouts on the water, armed with light or ma- chine guns, whose chief duty would be, assisted by "artificial light from shore. to watch the water in front of the mines at night; in addition to these boats a few swift torpedo launches, armed with Whitehead "or outrigger forpedoes, would munch add to the "strength of the place, as the knowledge of their presence would most probably oblige an enemy to koop his large vessels well off the shove at night.” The local stean-launches could be fitted up with spar torpedoes and used as guard-boats, with machine gous in the bows. Ten good launches could always be obtained f Hingapore for this purpose if required.
*་
Two gunboats, armed with heavy guus, would also add greatly to the support to the mine field at the Eastern entrance, which is 1,500 yards distant, as before stated, from the batteries firing over it.
I have fuerely dealt slightly with this question of guard-boats, as it is laid down that it is a naval question and therefore more especially the business of the Senior Naval Officer, aud he will, I dare say, point out how far local means can be made use of and where they fail to supply the want felt,
E. C. mines.
Electric Returk.. lights.
Present Defence.
340, zuiucs.
Hastern entwing, Western: extranet, Ronis,
Toon!,...
16
38
Proposent Defence.
Nastern ontrusco,
Or, with third thin of N. 6.
mines, 65 H. G, zubys,
Wostery eutines,
Runds,
01
32
ม
(0
↓
od by 500-
* I'defeld-
36
Ib, ozly.
Totu',
21
+ Do. do.
3
or
16
E. F. RHODES, Lieut., R.Eg` Commanding Royal Engineer, S.$.
Singapore, 14th February, 1881.
450.
Servet.
536
SPECIAL REFORT ON THE EMPLOY- MENT OF NATIVES IN CONNEC- TION WITH THE SUBMARINE MINING DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE.
Number of Men carrying on the Work,
1. During the practice which has been carried on for the last four months at Singapore, the detachment consisted of 3 officers and 14 trained Non-Commis- sioned Officers and men of the Royal Engineers, and 17
natives.
Boats and Crews,
2. The boats were local boats hired from the Tan- jong Pagar Dock Company, and fitted for the work by the Dock Company, and answered the purpose admirably. They consisted of a steam-launch manned by a native crew of 2 stokers, I engine-driver, 2 deck hands and 1 coxwain: one pinnace manned by 1 coxwain and 6 men; two dinghies manned by 2 men each. Total 17 natives. These were all Malays, except the engine-driver of the launch who was a Chinuud.
Number of Natives used in raising and lowering Mines.
3. Although there were 17 men, the men available
for work in raising and lowering mines wore only 11, viz., the 2 dock-hands of the launch and the crews of the three other boats. The men were found to be throughout most willing and capital boatmen and of great assistance to the Royal Engineers. Nearly all the men spoke a little English.
Divers.
4. Two men were very good divers, being able to go down in 5 or 6 fathoms, and clear any foul that might arise. This was often found very useful, especially as they could put on stoppers, bow-lines and other knots
under water.
Qualifications.
5. Most of them hud sailed in ships, and know all
the common knots and splices, and the two divers had boon on the Telegraph ship which is stationed here, and were very handy in paying out and picking up cables.
On the other hand, one or two men were found will- ing but were not of much use beyond working the crab and rowing the boats.
These men could be avoided in another practice.
Willingness to come again.
6. The men at the end of the practice were all willing to undertake the work another year, although, unless special arrangements be made, some of them would very likely be away from the port when wanted,