91
PUBLIC RECORD.OFFICE
19.
miimmim
Reference -
C.C.587
4.
V.-Submarine Mines.
The system of submarine mining defence is in accordance with plans which have been approved by the War Office.
The submarine mining officer in charge will superintend the laying down and maintaining the submarine mining defences, for the efficiency of which he will be responsible.
After the mines are laid, one submarine mining officer will be stationed at Stonecutter's, and one at Lyemun.
The submarine mining officer in charge will act as a Staff officer for submarine mining; he will visit the various posts as may be necessary, and be responsible for all arrangements being complete and in working order. In case of an attack he will proceed at once to the point where his services may be most required.
The officer or non-commissioned officer in charge at each post will be under the immediate orders of the officer commanding the section, who will facilitate by every means in his power the carrying out of the submarine mining defence, and of the construction of the field works, electric light emplacements, and other accessories of the mine-field defence.
The general distribution of the submarine miners, and the names of the officers or non-commissioned officers in charge, is given in Appendix V.
Orders for laying down the mines have been prepared.
The Rules for the regulation of the traffic are given in Appendix VI; this subject is also further alluded to under heading XIV.
The channel to the north of Stonecutter's Island will be blocked by mooring across it sailing-vessels and junks connected together by chains. As neither time nor material will be available to form a complete barrier on Kellett's Bank, rows of junks loaded with stones will be sunk at intervals so as to make it dangerous for any but vessels of light draught to attempt to pass over the bank.
Dummy mines and obstructions will be placed as soon as the mines are laid down. Boat mines will, as far as possible, be provided to protect the shore ends of the cables at the western entrance, as they are much exposed to attack; the cases for these will be made locally.
The explosives from Nóbels' Magazine on One Tree Island, near Aberdeen, will be removed to the Civil Government magazine on Stone- cutter's Island as soon as hostilities become imminent.
Electric Light.
The lights for the defence of the mine-fields are to be under the entire direction of the officer in charge of the submarine mining defence. Their principal rôle is to show up attacking boats so that they may be fired on by the shore batteries and by the guard-boats, and to light up vessels passing over the obstructions and mines. The lateral range of the electric lights and guns for the defence of the mine-fields must be carefully limited, so that there is no danger of the guard-boats being shown up and fired
upon.
Guard-Boats.
The number of boats required is as follows:—
No. 1 mine-field..
No. 2
H
No. 3 No. 4
17
1
Total
16
They are to be strong launches, armed and manned by men specially enrolled for the purpose, or by men of the Royal Navy. Failing both these sources they must be manned by sappers and infantry. In the two former cases they will be under the Navy, and a naval officer will be appointed to command; but in the latter, this duty will devolve upon the Royal Engineers. The signals by which they may recognize one another to be the same as those laid down for scout-boats (vide Appendix VII).
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VI.-Engineer Workshops.
There are at present no Engineer workshops at the station, except those belonging to the submarine mining establishment, but the resources of Hong Kong, in the way of workshops and material, is practically unlimited, and they could promptly be rendered available.
VII.-Ordnance Stores.
40185
In consequence of War Office Order only twenty cartridges are filled per 6-inch B.L. gun, the remaining cartridges required to complete, 200 rounds per gun, will be made up by the Staff of the Ordnance Store Department.
Cartridges to complete the batteries to 200 rounds per gun at present stored at Kellett's Island will be sent to the works and stored in field magazines where the permanent magazines are not sufficient for the whole number of rounds required.
Officers commanding Divisions to draw from the Ordnance Store Department the proportions of small-arm ammunition, entrenching tools, and camp equipment laid down for their sections, and demand transport for its removal to the works.
The powder stored at Kellett's Island to be moved as soon as possible
to temporary field magazines in the nullah to the right rear of the new magazine. Six cargo-boats, one steam-launch, and 400 coolies for three days will be required for its removal.
A temporary laboratory to be erected up the nullah behind the old magazine for the purpose of shell-filling, the laboratory proper being used for cartridge-filling only.
VIII.-Transport.
The transport requirements for the conveyance of troops and supplies to the outlying forts would consist of coolies, steam-launches, and cargo.
boats.
Under ordinary circumstances no difficulty would be experienced in obtaining what was required, as the resources of the Colony are practically unlimited.
Should. an exodus of the Chinese population take place, assistance could be had from the merchant shipping in the harbour, and European and Indian employés obtained in sufficient numbers.
The officer commanding Army Service Corps is in charge of all army transport, and all requisitions for transport will be addressed to him.
IX.-Food.
The exportation of food and other supplies will be prohibited as soon
as war is imminent.
The Colonial authorities will ascertain the most suitable situations for the storage of food for the subsistence of the civil population.
The supplies for the forts will be stored in mat-sheds when other accommodation is not available.
The general depot will be within the cantonments, and will consist of the Army Service Corps offices and stores, the Commissariat buildings, with the adjacent stores at Lots 4, 79, and 74.
The Officer commanding the Army Service Corps will requisition the local authorities for two months' supply of provisions, this quantity being always on hand for the use of the troops.
The subsistence of the civil population and distribution of their food will be in the hands of the Colonial authorities, unless it be found necessary
to place it in the hands of the Army Service Corps.
The number of Chinese in Hong Kong is on no account to exceed the probable sources of food supply during a blockade.
The Officer commanding Army Service Corps will arrange for the employment of the additional civil subordinates required by him to carry out the duties connected with the storage and distribution of provisions.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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