CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 653

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ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM.

In my opinion the only alternative to the present system is to increase the number of armed launches available, If another 5 armed launches were provided and manned by R.N. officers and men then the carrying of large armed guards and

The system of the sailing in convoy could be abolished. grilles could also be very much decreased.

With the present 4 armed launches plus 5 additional armed launches a system of efficient patrols could be instituted covering the Pearl River and from Wangmun to Kongmun. The number would not be sufficient to cover the West River above Kaukong unless the patrol line elsewhere was weakened. It would also leave the open sea gap between Hongkong waters and the Bocca Tigris forts and Wangmun but as river steamers are generally in sight of each other in these parte a successful attempt to pirate them there should be very difficult. It would leave the Macao traffic to itself as at

present.

With a permanent patrol as suggested not only would river steamers and seagoing traffic be as safe or safer than at present but all the enormous tow traffic would be a great

It must never be forgotten that there deal better protected.

is an enormous trade carried on in junk bottoms towed by launches, Many of these launches fly the British flag and a very large proportion of the traffic on these two main routes

Once this patrol was in

is en route to or from Hongkong.

working order I consider that

(1) Salling in convoy could be abolished.

(2)

Large armed guards on board ships abolished.

(3)

The grille system reduced to protection of the bridge and Engine Room and cutting off the 1st. class from the remainder.

Some