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REPORT OF A JOINT NAVAL AND MILITARY COMMITTEE assembled at HONG KONG in April 1894, for the purpose of considering the Harbour Defences of Hong Kong.

President.

His Excellency Major-General G. Digby Barker, C.B.

Members.

Commodore G. T. H. Boyes, R.N.

Captain W. H. Fawkes, R.N.

Colonel W. H. Mulloy, R.E.

Captain A. H. Thomas, D.A.A.G., Secretary.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

།།།

Referencs

C.O.53

BE REPRODUCEJ PHOTOGRAPY BES

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THE Committee have seen the arrangements of the Defence Scheme now in preparation, so far as it concerns the points with which they have to deal, and consider that it is in general accord with the instructions transmitted for their guidance. They recommend, however, certain amendments to the scheme as hereafter detailed.

Hong Kong is an excellent harbour, but has the disadvantage, as regards defence, of one very wide entrance (4,400 yards), and two others, both of which are bounded on one side by the territory of China. There is also the peculiarity that within the defended waters lies the Chinese town of Kowloon, and several Chinese villages having much sea traffic. The Bay of Kowloon is also occasionally the anchorage of the Chinese fleet.

Hong Kong is not likely to be attacked by heavy vessels, unless accompanied by a large military force, and cruizers would find it more profitable to remain outside preventing entry and exit than to raid on the anchorage. It is liable to attack by first-class torpedo-boats from Whampoa, and also by second-class torpedo-boats carried by cruizers.

(A.)—Examination Anchorage and Regulation of Traffic.

The examination anchorage and arrangements for the regulation of traffic,* as embodied in the Defence Scheme, are satisfactory; but, should the mines be laid at a less depth than they are at present, the arrangement of the junk traffic-which is at present free by daylight-would require revision.

(B.)—Mine-fields and Friendly Channels.

The position of these is satisfactory. The Committee recommend the withdrawal of the Quarry Bay mine-field. It is in the centre of the fairway, will necessitate special pilots after vessels have passed the emun mine- field and are in safety, and it cannot be lit up at night, except by a fixed post vessel, which would itself be arobstruction to free entry, and would be very costly. Moreover, the approaching completion of the Brennan torpedo installation appears to render this mine-field unnecessary. The Committee do not recommend an alteration in the present depth of the mines, for the following reasons :-----

• Since received in C.O. letter, Hong Kong, 9207, of the 29th May, 1894, and printed an an Appendix (see p. 9).—830.

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