PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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C.O.
885/
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5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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occur at Port Philip, where there is a wide entrance to an inland sea, a defence is created by covering the entrance with gun fire, the channels by mines; the forts and mines aided by a flotilla and by torpedo boats, so that if a vessel should perchance burst through all, and, though shattered, still be able to punish an undefended town, she would be tackled by a naval force.
Although it probably will not be questioned that a regularly trained force is a mote perfect force in itself than any militia or volunteer force, still there is a reasoning to which weight must be attached in favour of leaving by far the greater portion of local defence in the hands of local corps.
Local corps can be formed on a system which withdraws those who join them but little from those occupations which increase the wealth of the country. Local corps are subject to the keenest local criticism-to a criticism that is perfectly well understood by thein, but which would probably ruin a more regular force. The system of local corps tends to identify the population with the defence. It is less likely to languish. It gives experience to many in the supply and in the use of warlike stores. It does not con- tinuously separate the men from their wives and families. It habituates the people to feel that possibly some day they may be required to make personal sacrifices.
It gives a sense of security. It tends to allay panic. It accustoms the Government of the country to study the questions involved, and the responsibility that belongs to it on this subject is kept perpetually before their eyes.
Under such a system more men are trained to arms than under a system based on a permanent long service force.
The essential to do justice to local corps is a nucleus of trained men and experts. But if we are to have efficient vessels to capture cruisers they must have thoroughly efficient crews, trained and inured to the sea, and well practised in their vessels.
This is a totally different thing to the other.
To keep the crews of such ships efficient, they must be changed from time to time. There are no means of drafting them from ship to ship out here at this time, or of sending them to undergo a course of training in the new methods, or new implements of war, or to keep them acquainted with what they have to meet.
I see no way, in 1885, of securing efficiency save by making such vessels bona fide men-of-war, on the same footing in every respect as all Her Majesty's ships in com- mission.
I do not understand that your Excellency desires me to draw up a scheme for con- sideration that does not also pay some regard to the financial aspect of the case, but rather to formulate a scheme which, if adopted, would in my opinion give a substantial addition to our naval forces in these waters, and be specially suited for the service required of them.
If the reasoning contained in what I have already written is accepted as right, and assuming that the local defence is satisfactory, it follows that what are wanted in the first place are cruiser catchers.
In Parliament, in London, lately it was announced that ten additional vessels of what are termed "Scout" class should be added to the Navy; these vessels admirably adapted for the service for which they are designed, would, in my opinion, not have sufficient gun power, but a design might be got out giving them 6-inch breech-loading guns, in lieu of 5-inch; these guns at moderate ranges penetrate ordinary ironclads,
The legend of the ship should run thus :—
16 knots; 1,600 miles full speed; 7,000 miles half speed, 10 knots; six 6-in.
B.L. guns on sponsons as in "Scout" class.
This enables two guns to be fired ahead, two astern, or three on either broadside, with shields to protect the crews against machine guns.
A light hog back forecastle and poop. This seems to be advantageous, as the seas that run at the entrances of these harbours are often heavy and the "Rip" inconvenient, besides they would give cover for machine guns, of which there should be an ample supply; also two electric lights, four fixed torpedo tubes each side. Quite a light rig, with fore and aft sails-in fact, as a whole, a "Scout" enlarged to carry the guns named.
Six such vessels would be a substantial and material additional protection to our trade and commerce; and, besides being cruiser catchers, are well adapted to join in the defence of any port; moreover, even if far more powerful vessels appeared in these waters, they would have their mission, which would not be confined to defensive opera- tions. They would be a most welcome addition to Her Majesty's squadron that is usually employed on this station.
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I may here point out that, if all the Colonies concurred in any arrangement for their protection, economy and efficiency would be greatly increased. For instance, if, instead of each Colony ordering its own vessels, or each Colony ordering guns or rifles, without concert, an agreement could be come to on such subjects, stores would be interchange- able, and in time of need one would be able to aid the other.
If there is no agreement
on such points, after action, on refitting, we should have to send to each Colony for stores belonging to her ships
It must be remembered that these Colonies cannot be attacked simultaneously, though they might be consecutively if the enemy was successful in his first efforts.
Should it be decided by the Colonies to move on the following lines, viz.-to create a force suited to these waters and to the special requirements of their case, with the view to increase the Australian squadron-to bring the matter within range for decision, I put forward a series of propositions on my own responsibility, but with an earnest feeling that some such force is much required; and while I personally recommend for consideration each proposition, I quite recognise that it is necessary to convince those responsible for recommending expenditure as well as the Colonists at large, and it is not possible within the limits of such a paper as this to enter fully into all the details involved. It may be recalled that in the reign of Henry IV. the country was much perplexed about the Navy, then in its infancy. Matters had not gone well with it either as to expenditure or as to the force produced. It was decided to entrust it to merchants, viz., to provide a navy by contract. The system did not last long, for reasons I need not enter into, but the precedent conveys an idea.
Should it be decided that the highest interests would be best served if the Colonies defrayed the expense while the Admiralty supplied men and maintained the vessels, it being clearly understood that the vessels so provided were to be a force, both as to personnel and matériel, additional to the fleet of the Empire as voted by the Parliament in London, then the following are some of the points that would present themselves for decision:-
(i.) The arrangement to last, say, for ten years, but to terminate only after three
years' notice.
(ii.) The Admiralty to furnish the ships, which would be built either by contract or in the dockyards. The ships to be equipped, manned, and despatched as are all other of Her Majesty's ships, the sole reserve being a limitation as to their employment.
(iii.) The class of ship, the design, and estimate to be approved by the Colonial
Government and by the Admiralty.
(iv.) The armaments to be approved by the Colonial Government. (v.) Repairs to be effected, as far as they can be, within the Colony.
(vi.) Repairs to be effected in the same manner and with the same authority as is
the practice with Her Majesty's ships.
(vii.) The Admiralty to re-commission the ships from time to time, precisely as Her Majesty's ships on the station. Officers and crews are not to be kept too long on the station.
(viii.) The officers and men to be on the some footing in every respect as the officers and men in Her Majesty's ships. In fact, the ships to be in every sense Her Majesty's ships in commission, and placed under the Commander-in- Chief on the Australian station.
(ix.) At no time will these vessels be removed without the waters of Australasia
without the sanction of the Governments of the Colonies.
(x.)
During a time of peace, the officers and others of such ships as are not in active commission could be well employed to instruct the reserve forces and volunteers. A special arrangement on this subject would be necessary.
(xi.) Nothing in the above regulations prevents any Colony possessing itself of other vessels for other purposes. Such vessels will fly, as now, the Colonial flag, and this applies to all vessels the property of Colonial Governments when they are not placed under the Naval Commander-in-Chief. When under the Commander-in-Chief they would fly the white ensign, and be like other ships of the squadron.
(xii.) The entire cost of matériel, of maintenance, and of personnel, including the ultimate liability of Her Majesty's Government on account of deferred pay for officers and men for the periods they serve in such ships to be borne by the Colony.
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