CAB11-57-17 — Page 200

CHAPTER VII (L),

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53. Passage of Friendly Vessels through the Defences.-The Examining Officers will expedite as far as possible the passage through the defences of merchant vessels which are known to them as friendly.

V.-SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXAMINATION BATTERIES.

54. Stores -The officer in charge will satisfy himself on taking over, that the special stores connected with the examination service are available and in good order, and in the event of there being deficiencies or defects he will immediately report the

same.

55, Guns and Men to be held in readiness. The guns are to be kept always ready for immediate action, the detachments being placed close at hand and a sentry placed in the emplacements. A few rounds of plugged shell should be kept available near the gun detailed to "bring to" vessels, but separate from the service ammunition, so that there will be no danger of confusing them by day or night.

56. Signallers for the Ex mination Battery.--The officer in charge is responsible that two look-out men, who must be signallers, are constantly kept posted to keep a watch on the examination steamer, and that a sufficient number of men are available for dutyas reliefs. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and look-out men should all know the limits of the examination anchorage.

57. Vessels disregarding signals from the Examination Steamer.-If an incoming vessel disregards the signal from the examination steamer and continues to approach the port at speed, not showing the signal of the day, a round of plugged shell is to be fired across her bows. If she disregards this warning she is to be treated as hostile.

58. Hostile Vessels.-Any vessel recognised to be of a belligerent nature will be treated as hostile without being first brought to.

59. Vessels undergoing Search.—When a vessel is undergoing search in the examination anchorage, and so long as suspicion rests on such vessel (see paragraph 37) the detachments will fall in on the guns and a sharp watch will be kept both on the ship and on the examination steamer. Should any hostile action on the part of the ship, such as firing on the examination steamer, be observed, she is at once to be treated as hostile.

60. Special Signal for the day. The special signal for the day to be given to merchant vessels by the Examining Officer will be communicated to all batteries by the Fortress Commander.

61. Movements of Vessels at Night.-Scouts, destroyers, and torpedo-boats, and all war vessels other than H.M. ships, attempting to enter the port of Hong Kong at night are to be fired upon as soon as seen by any battery.

At night no merchant vessel or junk is to be allowed, in any circumstances, to pass beyond the limits of the examination anchorage, nor to be under way within the port.

62. The examination battery will be in electrical communication with the main defences, and will always be manned.

63. Merchant Vessels leaving the Port. Should any merchant vessel be observed attempting to get under way at night, or to leave the port by day without showing the special signal, she is to be treated as laid down in paragraph 57.

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