CO885-5 — Page 353

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

5PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

262

That there is a distinct call for every endeavour that can tend to protect our com- merce cannot be questioned. More sea-going tonnage enters one port within these Colonies annually than entered the Thames at the time when Her Majesty came to the throne within the same period.

There is no Colony that does not possess statistics that clearly demonstrate how small a per-centage would be called for out of the profits of that trade to afford a reasonable • amount of protection; and a first step in this direction would be taken if we provided ourselves with cruiser catchers, and to the cruisers I should desire to add torpedo boats capable of going from port to port. They would be especially valuable to cover a long stretch of one coast. The possession of such boats, kept always at the end of a telegraph wire, would effectually prevent an enemy anchoring near our shores.

I recommend the adoption of a dropping arrangement, which could be fitted in a few hours to local small steam-boats, such as we have on board H.M.S. "Nelson" for Whitehead torpedoes. It is inexpensive in construction and maintenance, and enables us to largely supplement more regular torpedo boats for harbour defence, in a ready and effectual way. There should be torpedo stations on shore, a small pier where the boats could rest in safety, and two air-compressing engines in different positions within the Heads, and two skilled hands at each station.

I have dwelt specially on the defence of our principal ports (I have previously written on the defence of Newcastle and Sydney), because I feel that, if the principal temptations to attack are removed, and the largest prizes are shielded, it would not be worth while for an enemy to detach important squadrons for the purpose of destroying less important places; and thus the whole of the Colonies and every place would receive benefit, insomuch as they would not be liable to be devastated by an overwhelming force.

Cruisers and unarmoured ships can do little against a comparatively very small defence; and it will be noticed that, while I have recommended the adeption of cruiser catchers, I have not been unmindful of the long stretches of these shores where the efforts of the enemy would be best defeated by another class of boat.

It may not be out of place here to mention, seeing that success engenders success, that, if all united to pay the losses suffered at any spot on our shores owing to the resistance the inhabitants made, either to the demands of any enemy or to an actual attack, it could not do otherwise than provoke that unity of action and of feeling that goes so far as to assure success.

I am aware that this report may be held not to go so far as is contemplated in your Excellency's letter to which it is a reply; but I need hardly do more than mention to your Excellency that a navy cannot be created in a day, and that (this) is hardly the time to consider what force would be sufficient to give security against this or that force; that a great deal can be done if all pull together to meet present emergency; and the foundation of a force might well be laid that would grow with the growth of our Colonies.

Proposed→→

SEA-GOING COLONIAL FLEET,

if all joined, including New Zealand.

Six cruiser catchers.

Eight torpedo boats, sea-going, say of 150 tons.

The above to be furnished, manned, and maintained by the Admiralty at the

cost of the Colonies.

(A portion of this force only to remain in commission during a time of peace.)

LOCAL DEFENCES,

to be officered and manned by local forces:

viz., harbour defence vessels, and Whitehead torpedo boats, small class

generally speaking.

Batteries and mines to be entrusted to local corps.

That local corps should have a good nucleus of highly-trained men is an essential

condition.

The Whitehead system to enter largely into the system of defence, and dropping gear to be provided in readiness to be fitted to local boats to supplement the regular torpedo boats.

263

"B."

LOCAL DEFENCE and PROTECTION of FLOATING TRADE in the WATERS of the AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

(Confidential.)

Admiralty, September 9, 1885. In order to deal with this very important question practically, and in a really efficient manner, it appears to my Lords that the question must be divided into two parts, and each part dealt with separately. The first part being to provide local defence for the principal harbours in each of the Colonies; the second part being to provide efficient protection to the large floating trade in Australasian waters.

The first part-viz., local detence for the principal harbours in each of the Colonies-- my Lords consider should be purely a Colonial question; the harbours to be defended, and the most suitable means for providing thoroughly efficient matériel and personnel for such protection in each of the Colonies to be dealt with by that Colony. The defences would consist of torpedo boats, submarine mines protected by light guns, and such fortifications as may be considered to be necessary. The whole of the force required for these defences to be volunteers raised in the Colony, and the whole of the expenses in connexion with the local defence of each Colony to be paid for entirely by that Colony, and to be solely under its control.

Secondly-To provide efficient protection to the large floating trade in Australasian waters. This being for the benefit of the whole of the Colonies, it appears

that the necessary expenses should be borne by each of the Colonies, in proportion to its population.

The points for consideration in this matter are

I. The nature and number of vessels which should be provided for this purpose.

2. How they are to be provided with officers and crew.

3. The approximate cost of building, arming, and maintenance.

4. How they are to be employed in peace and war.

5. Under whose control are they to be placed.

The class of vessels which would, in their Lordships' opinion, be most suitable for this service are the "Archer" class, ten of which are ordered for our own Navy. They are 1,630 tons displacement, will steam 17 knots, and are to be armed with six 6" B.L. rifled guns. It would also be desirable to supplement them with two of the new class of very fast sea-going torpedo vessels just designed for our Navy. They will be 450 tons displacement, stean 19 knots, and are to be armed with three torpedo tubes for Whitehead torpedoes, one 4-in. B.L.R. gun, four quick-firing 3-pounders, and two machine guns. The number of vessels to be provided must depend in a very great measure upon the funds which can be obtained; but their Lordships are of opinion that five vessels of the "Archer" class, and two of the sea-going torpedo vessels, would in time of war provide very fair protection (in addition to the squadron of our vessels on the Australian Station) to the large floating trade in Australasian

waters.

2. The officers and crew for these vessels should be provided by the Imperial Navy, and changed every three years.

3. The approximate cost of building, arming, and maintaining these vessels.

The cost of a vessel of "Archer" class complete, with armament, ammunition,

and torpedoes, is approximately 106,4867.; the cost of annual maintenance, &c., 25,456/.

The cost of new sea-going torpedo vessel complete, with armament, ammunition, and torpedoes, is approximately 46,7297.; cost of annual maintenance 11,0297.

૨ ૧

A

50431.