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189
(ii.) Mobilization.
CHAPTER VII (K).
1. On receipt of a communication that the "Warning" telegram has been received indicating that hostilities are imminent, you are, without further orders, on receipt of the necessary launches to buoy and clear a channel of approach to the harbour, using the hired launches and Chinese seamen included in the table on page 191.
2. The Lists given on page 191 show in detail the ratings that will be available on mobilization from West River gunboats.
3. The direction of the channel has been laid down by the Defence Committee. A plan is attached to this section showing the course of the channel.
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 24 cables. You must be prepared, however, to sweep a longer channel if there is reason to believe that mines have been laid much further out.
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.
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.
15. The following Table shows the "standard conditions" which have been established after exhaustive trials:--
105
Speed (revs. for).
Distance apart.
Sweep Wire
to be veered.
Kite Wire to be veered.
Depth of Kites.
Knots.
Yards.
Fathoms.
Fathoms,
Gun-boats
12
460
400*
11
Fathoms.
6
Trawlers..
9
400
325
11
Torpedo-boats
10
300
275
12
Steam launches
7
200
200
12
Piquet boats (of 45 ft. and above)
7
150
150
12
* The amount of sweep can be reduced to 325 fathoms in gunboats if very accurate station is kept. NOTE. The column Kite Wire to be veered" shows the length of wire from the kite safety-bolt or towing-bolt to the water-line.
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