152
as worked, should occasion arise, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of a Report on the subject from Captain Arthur, of Her Majesty's torpedo-ship "Vernon," together with a copy of the observations of the Director of Naval Ordnance.
2. My Lords fully agree with the opinion expressed by the Director of Naval Ordnance, that, taking into consideration the delicacy of the machinery of the Whitchead torpedoes, they are not well suited for Colonial defence.
3. My Lords further consider it would be objectionable to intrust the secrets con- nected with the Whitehead torpedo to men at these distant stations; and having in view the remoteness of the Colonies where it is proposed to place them, and the improbability of any serious attacks on those places, my Lords are of opinion that the Whitehead torpedoes asked for are not required.
1 auf, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 274.
THOS. WOLLEY.
153
would be great, and no orders to the contrary would avail in war time; and if not frequently used the officers and crew would probably deteriorate,
Nor do I feel confident that the chance of losing their pensions would deter men from revealing the secret.
If under the present state of affairs it is still considered necessary to arm these Colonies with Whitehead torpedoes, I submit Captain Arthur's proposal be laid before the Colonial Office, and, if approved by them, that he be directed to communicate with the Colonial Office in regard to details. My own impression, however, is that Whitehead torpedoes are weapons requiring so much special knowledge and practical skill in their use that they would probably be found to fail in these Colonies for want of people possessing the requisite knowledge at the critical moment, as casualties might happen to the special crew sent out.
As there is now no emergency, I submit the question may be reconsidered, and whether the simple electric-mechanical contact and Spar torpedo would not be more suitable for Colonial defence.
(Signed)
RT. HAMILTON,
Director of Naval Ordnance.
(Secret.) Sir,
"Vernon," Portsmouth, July 19, 1878. IN reply to their Lordships' letter of the 17th July, 1878, I have the honour to report that in order to utilize the Whitehead torpedoes intended for the defence of the Colonies, it would be necessary to provide a torpedo boat for each port. There are already at Hong Kong and Singapore, and, probably, also at Esquimalt and Cape Town, Colonial steamboats capable of being altered to carry these weapons, but as they would require to be fitted with torpedo frames and davits, as well as air-compressing engines and pumps, and would then, from want of speed and proper arrangements for preventing noise and smoke, be inefficient; I submit that it would be more desirable to construct four vessels of the "Lightning" class for the purpose, and send them out fully equipped.
2. As regards the requisite crew the "Lightning" bears - officer in command, I warrant officer, 1 engineer officer, 2 engine-room artificers, 1 leading stoker, 2 stokers, 1 petty officer, 2 able seamen; but these, for the occasional work required in the Colonies might be reduced to, say, 1 officer in command, 1 engineer, I leading stoker, 2 stokers, 1 petty officer, 1 able seaman.
And as I presume that the services of those men already employed in the Colonial stearn launches would be available, it would only be necessary to send out a petty officer and an engine-room artificer, or leading stoker, to each station. Men pensioned from the navy and instructed on board the "Vernon" in the manipulation and repair of torpedoes and of the air-compressing machinery could be obtained for this purpose, and the fact of their possessing a pension from the Crown would be a security for their maintaining the secret of the Adjustment Chamber, which must be confided to them.
3. At each station, with the probable exception of Cape Town, the Torpedo Lieutenant attached to the flag-ship would occasionally be present, and he could give such advice and exercise such supervision as might be required.
4. Should their Lordships approve, I might be placed in direct communication with the Colonial Office for the purpose of arranging details as to the necessary stores, &c.
I have, &c.
Admiral Ed. J. Fanshawe,
Commander-in-chief.
(Signed)
W. ARTHUR, Captain.
(Secret.) Sir,
+
I AM directed
No. 275.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, August 8, 1878.
Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that in compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23rd ultimo, instructions* have been given to suspend the manufacture of the 64-pounder guns for Canada, referred to in War Office letter of the 18th ultimo.
(Secret.) Sir, 1
}
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
No. 276.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, August 8, 1878.
I AM directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the General Officer Commanding the troops, China and Straits Settlements, has, at the request of the Governor of Hong Kong, permitted the issue, on loan, of the undermentiened arms and accoutrements for the equipment of the Hong Kong volunteer force :-
*
...
... 150 Spider rifles, 150 bayonets for ditto, 150 frogs for bayonets, 150 small ammuni- tion pouches for waist-belts, 2 trumpets and cords, 1 bugle and cord.
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As it is presumed that this issue is made in connection with the general scheme of Colonial defence in respect of which armaments are being provided, Colonel Stanley would be glad to be favoured with the opinion of Sir Michael Hicks Beach as to the necessity for the loan of the arms and stores in question.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
No. 277.
Inclosure 2 in No. 274.
Remarks by the Director of Naval Ordnance.
August 1, 1878.
I PRESUME it will be admitted these Colonies could not be defended against a powerful naval attack, supposing our own fleet absent, and that the real object in proposing to send them Whitehead torpedoes was as a defence against the attack of one or two cruizers which might have evaded our squadrons.
To send out torpedo vessels of "Lightning" class appears to me an expensive measure, but if Whitehead torpedoes are to be used speed is necessary, which can only be obtained in such vessels. The temptation to use these vessels for other purposes
-প
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Earl of Dufferin.
Downing Street, August 9, 1878, 1-10 P.M.
(Telegraphic.)
EVEN if commenced on receipt of your requisition the guns would not be ready for shipment by October, as they have to be manufactured. But your Government may be led to alter their views on consideration of the Report which is being prepared by the Colonial Defence Committee. As soon as the Report reaches me it will be forwarded.
[703]
* No. 248.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
19
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