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light draught would be reduced to a minimum if the piles be left exposed and lights be provided at each end of the row of piles.
I have &c.
(signed) W. F. Dundonald Cochrane,
Major, Acting Assistant Military Secretary.
Copy
Sir,
HongKong,
14th June, 1886.
After a close inspection of the Defences of Hongkong Harbour we are forced to the conclusion that a perfectly efficient defence of the Western Entrance cannot be secured under present conditions.
The distance from Belcher's Point to Stone cutter's Island is about 4000 yards, a distance which is much too great to be efficiently defended by Submarine Mines unassisted by passive obstructions.
An increase to the armament would not afford any satisfactory solution to the question.
Officer Commanding the Troops
China and Straits Settlements,