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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
6
8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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264
The total cost of five "* Archer class, and two sea-going torpedo vessels would be approximately 532,4304, and of two torpedo vessels 93,458/.
Total cost of five Archer" class and two sea-going torpedo vessels would amount to 625,888/. approximately, or of four " Archer" class and two torpedo vessels 519,4027. The annual cost of five "Archer class would be 127,280, and of two torpedo vessels 22,0587. Total for maintenance 149,3381. annually, or of four " Archers
and two torpedo vessels 123,8827. approximately; but in time of peace it would be advisable probably to keep two of the five "Archers" in reserve, with a few caretakers, and one, if not both, the torpedo vessels. This would very largely reduce the annual cost of maintenance. The estimated expense of sending out and bringing home the new and old crews once in every three years is included in the above figures.
4. The manner in which these vessels should be employed.
In
peace
time they should be employed in the usual routine duties of the station, in common with the rest of the Imperial Squadron. In time of war they should be employed for the protection of the floating trade in Australasian waters.
5. Under whose control they are to be placed.
On this point there must not be any divided responsibility. These vessels must be solely and entirely under the Naval Commander-in-Chief on the station, and employed as he may consider most desirable for the protection of floating trade in Australasian waters. If this plan were carried out, the floating trade in Australasian waters would be well protected, and the more important harbours in each Colony would also be well defended by Colonial resources.
The Colonies having, after joint consideration, decided as to the type and number of vessels which could be built and maintained out of the funds to be provided by the Colonies conjointly, the vessels should be built in England, officers and crews be onging to our Navy placed in them, and then sent to Australia to be placed under the command of the Naval Commander-in-Chief, it being distinctly understood that the Imperial Naval Force in Australia is not in any way to be reduced in strength consequent upon this addition of vessels for the protection of trade in Australasian waters. Once arrived on the station, every expense in connexion with these vessels is to be paid out of the funds jointly contributed by the Colonies, and at the end of ten years this agreement to come to an end, unless it should be the wish of the Colonies to extend it, the vessels becoming the property of the Colonies. Thus the whole cost of building, maintenance, and repairs of these vessels, also of exchange of officers and crews for them every three years, would be borne by the Colonies conjointly, the officers and crews being provided from our own Navy.
In the event of these proposals being accepted by the Australasian Colonies for a term of 10 years, my Lords would be prepared to place the following number of naval cadet- ships at the disposal of the several Colonies annually
*
New South Wales, 2; Victoria, 2; South Australia, 1; Queensland, 1; Tasmania,
1; New Zealand, 2,
under the same conditions with regard to examinations as are at present in force for Colonial cadetships.
By command of their Lordships,
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STATEMENT showing the estimated FIRST COST of a VESSEL of the " ARCHER" CLASS, and of a TORPEDO BOAT CATCHER or VESSEL of the "GRASSHOPPER" CLASS.
"Archer" "Grasshopper
Class,
Class.
£
£
Hull -
45,000
17,000
Machinery
30,000
16,000
Masts, yards, rigging, stores
5,000
5,000
80,000
38,000
Guns -
9,235
2,075
Warlike stores, including torpedoes
8,825
4,890
Gun mountings
5,226
764
Torpedo carriages and
gun
3,200
1,000
26,486
8,729
106,486
46,729
Total first cost
STATEMENT showing the ANNUAL COST and ESTIMATED ANNUAL LIABILITY for maintaining such VESSELS from year to year, upon the understanding that they remain the property of the COLONIES at the end of 10 or more years.
Unarmoured cruiser of "Archer" type, complement 140 men.
Annual charge for maintenance only.
Torpedo boat catcher, complement
55 men.
Aunual charge for maintenance only.
£
£
1. Wages and allowances
8,718
3,321
2. Victualling at 197. 10s, per head per annum
2,730
1,072
3. Maintenance of vessels:-
Hull
2,250
1,000
Machinery
2,400
1,280
Masts, yards, rigging, and stores
1,000
1,000
Guns and warlike stores, including
250
200
torpedoes.
Gun mountings
118
61
Torpedo carriages and gear
250
80
Consumable stores
597
360
855
499
140
55
6. Liability on account of retired pay to officers
1,700
520
7.
pensions to men
2,452
901
8. Annual charge for relief of crews-
1,690
680
Total
25,456
11,029
4. Value of coals
5. Medicines, &c.
Ditto
NOTE.-Under Clause 3 no provision is made for structural alterations and improvements to increase the efficiency of the vessels during their term of service.
(Signed) R. D. AWDRY.
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