CAB11-57-14 — Page 15

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CHAPTER I.

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war, but examination services are provided for Sulphur Channel and north of Stone- cutters by day.

19. To meet the case of an enemy running through the outer defences, there are batteries at Kowlcon East and North Point, on the east side of the harbour, and at Kowloon West and Victoria Battery on the west side, covering between them all the

inner waters.

20. The island of Hong Kong consists of a range of rugged hills, with peaks rising from 1,400 to 1,800 feet. The main or central ridge follows roughly the direction of the western, northern, and eastern shores, while spurs and steep outlying hills break up the whole surface to the south. Eight "gaps" or necks offer convenient passage across this ridge, which in several instances is effected by good roads. The possession of this main ridge, which dominates both the northern and southern shores and of the gaps crossing it, is the ruling principle of the defence of the island against an enemy landing on the south shore. This defence is composed of infantry and guns of the movable armament.

21. From the broken surface south of the main ridge arises the difficulty for the defence, that there is no point on the island which commands an extended view of the southern shore and the approaches therefrom; in fact, the mountain glens are concealed from view by the neighbouring ridges, and there are few spots in the island from which the eye can detect at one time movements in two neighbouring glens. This consideration, the smallness of the garrison in proportion to the extent of coast line, and the numerous possible landing places, lead to the conclusion that it is better to hold the garrison in as central a position as possible rather than to break it up into small weak parties, watching every possible landing place; but the necessity of guarding the dam at the Tytam Reservoir compels the garrison to throw a strong detachment in advance of the main position, for which Violet Hill affords an excellent position.

22. During the twenty years ending in 1903 the number of days for one year was 147 during which fog occurred at levels between 2,000 feet and 1,000 feet, and 52 days at those between 1,000 feet and 800 feet.

Only on very rare occasions was fog observed as low as 500 feet.

March, April, May, and June were the most foggy months, and September, October, and November the least.

The months may be grouped without serious error and the following percentages

obtained:

Percentage of days with clouds between the 2,000 feet and 1,000 feet levels.

Percentage of days with clouds between the 1,000 feet and 800 feet level.

January, February, July, August

42

January, May, June

March, April, May, June

64

February, Mareb, April

September, October, November, December

15

July to December inclusive..

14

33

51

It was also observed during the same period that fogs occurred at the sea level for a mean of 37 days in a year as follows :-

January February

March

April

May June

8

for 3 days.

4

17

"

19

6

""

""

"}

""

31

""

July August. September October November December

for 1 day.

4

""

3

"

1

1

I

22

"

3

"

"

It is not thought, however, that their influence would be wholly against the defence. In fogs, as at night, men who know the ground will be less hampered by the dim light than strangers; and in no case can the fog be put forward as a reason for frittering the defence into patches and groups, but rather serves as an argument for keeping companies as intact as possible. If fogs envelop the positions of defence, its formed bodies and outposts must descend below their normal positions.

As for an enemy's ships approaching without being observed from the high ground on account of

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