CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6] — Page 89

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REG" 26 MAY 85, is very improbable that any more Torpedo-boats can be spared for this Colony, while many of the chief ports of the United Kingdom, and of the other Colonies, remain wholly unprotected; and that, at all events, no more bouts of this kind could reach us for many months to come. I am strongly of opinion that we should prefer to look to our own resources on the spot, which (as I am assured) could be made available in a few weeks, and at a very small cost. I have ascertained that two of the Steam-launches belonging to the Civil Government, and two of the Steam-launches belonging to the Military Departments, could be easily and speedily fitted for Spar and Whitehead Torpedoes. I have been in corres- pondence on this head with Commodore MORANT, who has written to me as follows :-" I have the honour to inform your Excellency that these fittings could be made and fitted to "the launches in question at a cost of about fifty-five pounds (£55) each; and that there are in store torpedoes which, with the Commander-in-Chief (Admiral DowELI's) sanction, "could be supplied, should your Excellency determine to have these boats so fitted.”

I have already informed Commander RUMSEY, R.N., the Commandant of our Auxiliary Flotilla, that two of our steam-launches will be used for Torpedoes, so soon as the crews are sufficiently drilled; and I have assured the Military Authorities that the Colonial Govern- ment will be ready to pay also for the fittings of their two launches. It will thus be seen that a valuable addition to the Torpedo Flotilla can be secured at a cost to this Colony of about £250.

In conclusion, I would repeat that, on the completion of the works now in hand, and with the great "defensive power/in Ships, Torpedoes, and Submarine Mines, permanently attached to the harbour," one of the highest Official Military Authorities in England has recently assured me that "you (at Hongkong) should langh to scorn the possible attacks of all the ships now in the China Seas." One word more, and I have done. I am confident that I interpret rightly the mind of every member of this Council when I say that nothing can be further from your wish and intention than to countenance any feeling of panic at the present moment. I believe that, like myself, you simply desire to see this first-class Naval and Military Station and great Mart of Commerce, placed, once for all, in a condition of practical and permanent security--and that on the principle of the old Roman Maxim, Si vis pacem, para bellum.

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