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Defences of Hong Kong.
The defences of Hong Kong, as at present approved, consist of the Approved following, viz. :-
Eastern Defences.
Lyemun West, 2-9-in. R.M.L. guns.
""
Central, 2-64-pr. R.M.L. guns. Redoubt, 2-6-in. B.L. guns.
East (reverse), 3-9-in. R.M.L. guns.
Also a battery for 2-8-in. R.M.L. howitzers, the site for
which is not settled.
Stonecutter West, 2-10-in. B.L. and 2-6-in. B.L. guns.
"
Shore Battery, 3-64-pr., 2-6-pr. Q.F., and
2 machine guns.
armaments.
"
West Central, 1-10-in. B.L., 1-6-in. B.L.,
and 2-6-pr. Q.F. guns.
Western Defences.
Inner Defences.
""
East Central, 2-9-in. R.M.L. guns and
1-8-in. R.M.L. howitzer.
Belcher's Point, Upper, 1-10-in. B.L., 1—6-in. B.L., and
3-6-pr. Q.F. guns. Lower, 3-6-in. B.L. guns.
"J
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Fly Point, 1-10-in. B.L. gun. Site above town, 1-9.2-in. B.L. gun.
Kowloon West, 3-10-in. R.M.L. guns.
Dock, 3-9-in. R.M.L. guns.
"
""
above, 1–9.2-in. B.L. gun. North Point, 2-9-in. R.M.L. guns.
Before entering into detail, we may state that in our opinion some General additions are required to the outer defences; on the other hand, we consider remarks. that too much importance has been paid to the value of the inner defences, and should strongly recommend that they be left as they are, and no more expense incurred upon them.
INNER DEFENCES.
North Point Battery.
The armament of this battery at present consists of-
1-9-in. R.M.L. gun.
2--7-in. "" guns.
1-8-in. R.M.L. howitzer.
It has been proposed to remove the 2-7-in. R.M.L. guns and substitute 1-9-in. R.M.L. gun for them. This is in our opinion unnecessary, considering the more pressing requirements of the outer defences.
The howitzer is mounted en barbette, on a central-pivot travelling carriage, and is so much exposed that it could not be efficiently worked under fire. It would be advisable to remove it, and employ it in a more satisfactory position. North Point Battery is very conspicuous, and the planting of lines of bamboos is more likely to emphasise than remedy this defect.
Inner defences.
North Point Battery.
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