157
was
certains draught of water. The former shown by Major Whitmore in his report of the 17. Jummary, 1887%, to be out of the question, w it would probably lake three months to construct, would require a great, of junks which it might not be possible to
number
obtain, and would cost as much
or tvore.
than an
"It only
ao
breakwater. thene fore to consider
ordinary remains therefore to:
the form of obstruction to prevent the parage of large vessels. The largest cloves of zintes
which
be obtained should be need
and
for
this purpose,
:they should be well laden -with stone the object being to form in
the shortest possible time an obtruction which Could not be broken through. If they did not
settle or
nore than 4 or 5 feet into the mud,
there would be cut low tide about 10 to 16 feet of water over the high stern, and 1766 23 fest over other part; at high tide the depth would be about of feet more . I think, however, that this would wake it so dangerous for
more than about 10 to 15 fect of
ships drawing
water
(
water that they would be unlikely to attempt to pass. Only
actual ex
periment can determine
"the depth to which the zimnks would rink in
the und, and whether there would be between them. If
over or
any silting possible it would be desirable to fill the high stern with stones and to pile them
high as possible a love the sides of the rest of the veeel. I would suggest
tuore
way,
e junks being treated in this and others loaded only just enough to
eink them. Precautions would also be
necessary to prevent the junks from turning
aven
Such
after being
an obstacle as described
would prevent the passage of vessels drawing say from 12 to 25 feet of water
· present pass over the bank,
which
caw at
and would so far be a valuable aid to the de
defence; but it would offer little obstruction to an attack on the minefield
by
of
It small vessels, and boat. If night,
or
con 120,
be used as a baze
on
which
to
Nov..