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The land for the firing station could be obtained from the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, and, should it be their intention further to extend their wharf, some arrangement might be made with them us to the build- ing of this firing station. The reason for which it is built should be kept as sceret as possible, and it wight be called an expense magazine.
Position abore Teregch Point.
6. There is another position which could be used as a firing station, namely, the hill above Teregeh Point, 140 high. The disadvantages of this position, as compared with the one proposed now, are:-
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(1.) Being so retired, the observation mines could not be fired with necuracy, especially on a misty morning.
(2.) The cubles would have to be longer, and would be more exposed to being cut by n party landing.
(3.) That it is not under such a heavy fire from the forts us the Tanjong Pagar spit, so that, if u party landed, it could find cover and could make deliberate preparations for cutting the cable or storming the firing station. (4.) It would be exposed to fire from a distance.
Adrantages of Station behind Breakırater.
7. The advantages of the Tanjong Pagar Station
(1.) That its position would be impossible for an enemy to make out, and being behind the broakwater, and being boombproof, it would he safe from distant fire, and only when the line of mines was passed would it be exposed to direct fire.
(2.) The cables being led in under water, it would be very difficult for a landing.party to fini them; they would be exposed to a heavy fire during the search.
(3.) The breakwater forms a very good protection to the cables, and the cables would be pro- tected from any creeping operations by it.
(4.) That the station shown in drawing could not be taken or destroyed by a sudden rush,
(5.) With the alterations as shewn in the draw- ing, it could be used for firing locomotive torpedoes, which would add greatly to the defence of this cutrance.
8.
Proposed Addition to Mines.
In addition to the mines already laid down for the defence of this entrance, I would propose two groups of four E. C. mines, each 200 yards in advance
of the present line, on the main line of ships entering the harbour, and would suggest also a third line, 150 foot in front of the present double line of E. C. mines.
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Passtre Obstructions.
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9. Dummy mines and heavy chains to protect the cable would also be plentifully userl, and a passive obstruction might be made of rafts and the harbour buoys to prevent an enemy steaming straight into the New Harbour, which he would perhaps try if he had information of the pusinge defended by observation mines only.
The Baran Darat Pussage,
10. The narrow passage between Blakang Muti East and the Burn Darat reef could be closed by passive obstractions without difficulty, and tomporary mechanical mines might be used here.
Sinki Strait.
11. The Sinki Strait, which is never used by vessels, could also be closed easily by sunken vessels or piles.
The Western Entrance,
12. The Western entrance is about 280 feet broad, and is defended by 8 500-th ground mines and six E. C. mines.
The ground mines are arranged to be fired in the same way as those at the Eastern entrance.
The six E. C. miues form one group. These minus aro connected by a four-cored armoured cable to the firing station, which is situated in an excellent position on an almost vertical cliff; 60 feet above the level of the water.
Suggestion as to Defence.
13. I would, on account of the rate at which the the runs at this cutrance-sometimes four knofs ---pro- pose that it be defended entirely by ground nines, and as the firing station, is directly above the mine field, I think pairs or even single mines could be fired with great accuracy. This method of firing would require special sanction of the home authorities.
To carry out the defence in this way, six extra ground mines would be required, and the six E. C. mines could be used some 800 yards in advance of the present line, where the strength of the tide is consider- ubly less.
Proposed Advance Line.
1. In addition to the present defence, I would pro- pose an advance line of two groups of four 3. C. mines, as shown on plau, from 900 to 1,000 yards in front of the Mont Siloso battery and the proposed Tussir Panjang battery, This would assist these batteries immensely should an ironclad try to engage them at battering vange, and would be very little extra expouse,
Defence of the Roads by Submarine Mines,
15. As it is laid down in the new Manual that sub- murine mines should not be more than 1,000 yards in advance of the guns protecting the mine field, very little can be done for the defence of the roads.
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