CAB11-57-15 — Page 155

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CHAPTER VII (K).

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166

2. The Lists given on page 167 show in detail :—

(a.) The ratings that will be immediately available on mobilization.

(b.) The eventual manning arrangements when further personnel is available.

The transition from (a) to (b) is to be effected as rapidly as possible--but it must be borne in mind that the torpedo-boats and their crews will be wanted for patrol work at once and until such time as they are relieved of this duty by the organization of the Supplementary Defence.

During this period the crews of the torpedo-boats will have to man, if necessary, the sweeping craft on their return to harbour each morning.

3. The direction of the War Channel has been laid down by the King's Harbour Master. A tracing is attached to this section,* and plans showing the course of the channel cleared, and alternative passages are to be submitted to the Commodore after carrying out the orders contained in paragraph 1.

The Commodore will then cause the following officers to be informed :—

Senior Naval Officer.

Commander (N.).

Chief Examining Officer.

Naval Adviser to Fortress Commander.

4. The method of clearing the channel will be by sweeping, the channel first being buoyed from mining launches towed by sweeping boats under your directions.

5. To ensure efficient sweeping, the clear channel will be buoyed at intervals of not less than two cables.

6. In the absence of special orders the length of the clear channel is to be 6-7 sea miles, and the minimum breadth 12 cables. You must be prepared, however, to sweep a much longer channel if there is reason to believe that mines have been laid much further out.

Under ordinary circumstances the cleared channel will be buoyed from the entrance of the harbour for 6-7 sea miles.

7. Under ordinary circumstances the channel will be swept at dawn only, but you must be prepared to sweep it again at short notice if required.

8. You will communicate each day with the Officers in charge of the Floating Defences, who will inform you of any suspected Mine Laying.

9. You will receive from the Signal Officer any reports that may have been sent in concerning the above.

10. You will receive from the Signal Officer each day the Secret Signal for the next day--by which means you will establish your identity with the port war signal

station.

11. You will impress on the petty officers in charge of the sweeping craft that they are not to attempt to enter the port by night, but are to proceed to Taitam Bay, reporting to the S.N.O. there.

12. The general plan of the buoying and sweeping operations is shown in the attached diagrams (facing page 168).

Kites should be towed at 6 knots, at a depth of at least 7 fathoms.

13. On completion of the sweeping operations each day, the Directing Officer is to report to the Commodore and Naval Adviser "channel clear" through port war signal station of entrance swept.

14. On returning to harbour, the sweeping flotilla will return to Kowloon Camber and complete with coal, water, and provisions, and repair sweeps; tinned provisions being drawn from store in Kowloon Yard, fresh provisions being sent over daily from Tamar." Coaling and watering will be carried out by the Naval Store Officer's coolies.

**

* This tracing has not been reproduced.

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