CO537-(33-34) — Page 583

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Appendix VII.

Orders for Scout Boats.

Scout-boats and signals to be used to convey information.

Ten scout-boats are required, distributed as follows:-

1 pair for Capsing Moon Passage.

2 pairs for West Lamma Channel.

1 pair for East Lamma Channel.

1 pair for Tathong Channel.

Numbers.

101

The duties of the scout-boats are to keep a good look-out for an enemy, to give the Dutles. earliest possible warning of his approach, and detailed information of his strength, &c., at

the same time keeping a watch on his movements when once sighted.

The best colour for scouting-boats is grey, as the enemy is not likely to use his electric Colour to be

lights until he is discovered.

The use of blue lights is to be avoided, as they show up the boats too much.

On an enemy being sighted the following signals will be made use of :—

1. Enemy's ships in sight: Very's light red.

2. Enemy's ships in sight in force: Very's light red with rocket.

To be answered by look-out with red rocket.

3. Enemy's torpedo-boats in sight: Very's light green,

4. Enemy's torpedo-boats in sight in force: Very's light green with rocket.

To be answered from look-out with green rocket.

In force to mean more than four in number.

Thus―

For six ships and two torpedo-boats-signal: Very's light red and rocket, followed by

Very's light green.

For two ships and six torpedo-boats-signal: Very's light red, followed by Very's light green and rocket.

painted.

Signala to bo

used.

Each boat will be provided with six battens, 3 feet long and 4 inches wide, painted Private red on one side and white on the other.

These battens will have holes bored at their centres and near the ends, and six screw bolts with wing nuts provided, by means of which they can be formed into the shape shown at the end of this paper.

By night these signals will be placed in the most suitable position for showing directly ahead, and will be illuminated by a light so placed in the boat that its rays will be directed only on the sign and on the front of the sign.

By day the sign will be exhibited on the mast or on a pole.

The friendly signal will be altered frequently; this will be arranged between the Major-General commanding and the Senior Naval Officer.

When the private signal is exhibited at night the boats are simultaneously with it to ship their bow lights.

The answer from the fort will be a lantern waved backwards and forwards. The colour to be varied.

When the scout-boat sees the answer she may proceed at full speed, but must not pull down the private signal.

signala.

The private signal above described should only be made use of under exceptional Signals to be circumstances, as when returning into harbour, when it is important that the boats should used between be made out a considerable distance away.

To avoid showing the private signal unnecessarily the boats will communicate with one another by means of red and green lights.

The bow lights will answer for this purpose, and can be kept in buckets ready for immediate use.

Signals between the boats are to be avoided as much as possible, as they disclose their position.

boats.

Should it be desirable to recall the scout-boats, the signal will be made by means of a Recalling the blue light.

scout-boats.

The forts and boats must be informed of the private signal that friendly ships of war Approach of will show when approaching the harbour. The boats will answer by their private signal if friendly ships under any danger of being fired on.

Each scout-boat will be told the points from which land communication is established, especially at the south and east sides of the island, to enable her to pass on information gained in the quickest possible manner.

A military signal-station will be established at Head-quarter House. During the day flags or semaphore will be used to communicate with the ships.

of war.

Signals

between Her

ships and the

At night a signal will be made by hoisting three white lights vertically, the signal to Majesty's be answered by the same signal, and communication will then be carried on by lamp shore. signalling.

If possible, telegraphic communication with the Commodore's ship will be established by submarine telegraph cable.

Torpedo-boats, if used as scout-boats, will not come in at night if it can be avoided.

[480]

Torpedo-boats.

G

PUBLIC RECORD.OFFICE

Reference -

BRITT MCC 5.7

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