I am of opinion that to be effective for its purpose the proposed obstruction should commence at Green Island and proceed in the direction of Stonecutters Island as far as the end of the bank, leaving a channel about 1700 yards wide between it and Stonecutters Island; also that it should be carried up to about 3 feet below high water mark, ordinary spring tides.
The wide interval formerly proposed to be left between Green Island and the breakwater, would deprive the latter of much of its military value, and as the obstruction in the form now proposed would admit of a free passage of water between the concrete pillars, I hope that there may be no objection to the obstruction commencing at Green Island more especially since owing to the direction of the currents, and in view of the fact that Kellett's Bank has remained unaltered for 40 years, it does not appear probable that any considerable silting up would take place.
If, however, Your Excellency should consider that some interval is absolutely necessary I trust it may be reduced to as small a width as possible and that it may not exceed 400 yards to be closed in time of war.
I should be glad to receive Your Excellency's views on this proposal before reporting it to the War Office.
His Excellency, Sir G. M. Des Voeux.
(Signed) G. Digby Barker, Major General.