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CHAPTER III (E).
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34
(ii.) Submarine Mining.
1. The system of submarine mining defence is in accordance with plans which have been approved by the War Office.
2. There are four mine-fields, Nos. I to IV. There is also a Brennan Torpedo Installation at Lyemun.
3. The force available for laying and maintaining the mine-fields and working the Brennan torpedo consists of the Hong Kong Co. R.E., certain S.M. Super- numerary Staff, and 6 Chinese civilians permanently employed, viz., 1 coxswain, 3 engine-drivers, and 2 stokers.
There are 5 officers posted to the Hong Kong Co. R.E., of whom one is a Quartermaster and untrained in submarine mining duties.
The establishment of Supernumerary Staff provides for 2 military mechanist electricians, 2 M.M. engine-drivers, 1 M.M. Brennist, 1 coxswain, and 1 submarine mining storekeeper.
The establishment of the Hong Kong Co. R.E. is 72 European Sergeants and rank and file, and 70 Chinese. At present 1 M.M. engine-driver, 1 coxswain of the Supernumerary Staff, and 1 European and 4 Chinese of the Hong Kong Co. R.E. are wanting to complete establishment.
To assist in working the electric lights the Engineer Co. of the Hong Kong Volunteers is available.
3.-Action by O.C.S.M.
Defence Electric Lights and Brennan Torpedo.
(i.) Before mobilization, he will see that all gear is ready for immediate running at short notice, and that a reserve of carbons, lubricating oil, and stores, for at least two nights' continuous running, is maintained in each section.
The coal and fuel oil stored near the engine rooms is not to fall below the following: For each steam engine, seven days continuous running.
For each oil engine, half the storage capacity provided.
He will detail to Sections for mobilization the officers, n.c.os. and men of the Hong Kong (S.M,) Co., and the S.M. Staff.
(ii.) On mobilization, he will detail the Volunteer Engineers, and arrange to send out to Sections the number of n.c.os. and men, R.E., and Volunteers detailed in Table E (ii), and will send with them a further supply or carbons, lubricating oil, &c., and arrange to renew this supply from time to time.
He will draw from the Ordnance, and send out camp equipment for these parties.
He will at once requisition on the A.S.C. for the coal, oil, &c., required to fill coal stores and reserve oil tanks, but, in view of the demands for transport on mobilization, the date specified for delivery should be the sixth day of mobilization or some subsequent date. Urgent delivery required before that day must be so marked on the requisition.
4.-Duties of O.C.S.M.
Submarine Mining Defences.
(i.) Before mobilization, he will make all the necessary preparations for laying out the S.M. defence as described in the S.M. Manual, and will detail the officers, n.c.os. and men of the Hong Kong S.M. Co. and the S.M. Staff, and keep them fully practiced and efficient in their defence duties.
(ii.) On mobilization, the coal bunkers of the S.M. vessels will be filled up, and these vessels kept under steam by night and day.
If either S.M. vessel is laid up at the time of mobilization, a launch to replace her will be hired.
This launch, as well as any required later for laying the mine defences, will be obtained through the A.S.C., but in case of delay the O.C.S.M. may engage them direct.
Twenty coolies suitable for submarine mining will be engaged at once to commence work on the first day of mobilization.
The S.M. vessels and men will be principally employed during the first day of mobilization in distributing the men and stores for electric light and Brennan, and this will take precedence of all S.M. work.
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