Page 5
Page 5
5
It should also be remarked that the submarine mining defence at Lyemun Pass can scarcely yet be considered satisfactory. The difficulties to an efficient defence are considerable, owing to the depth of water, the rapidity of current, and the unevenness of bottom.
Under these circumstances we recommend that the heavy gun, proposed to be mounted on the site over Kowloon Dock Battery, should be substituted in the redoubt for one of the 6-in. B.L. guns. The gun should be a 10-in. B.L., mounted on a disappearing carriage.
The displaced 6-in. B.L. gun might be mounted in an emplacement con- structed at the most eastern point of the Pass, where there is a very advan- tageous site, giving a large arc of fire.
We also recommend that a battery for 3-9-in. R.M.L. guns should be Battery for made on Sywan Hill. These guns would be available from the inner defences, 3-9-in.
R.M.L. guns if our recommendations regarding these defences be approved.
on Sywan
Sywan Hill commands the whole of the outer and inner waters, the only Hill. disadvantage to it being that the height of the battery will necessitate special arrangements to enable sufficient depression to be given to the guns.
A battery in this position would be very difficult to silence, and in any case a work of some description must be placed on this hill, as it commands the whole of the Lyemun Pass Batteries.
With regard to the works themselves, the following alterations are recom- Recommen- mended :—-
dations as to works.
Lyemun West.
The sills of the embrasures should be cut down, to enable the guns to be Lyemun fired at a greater depression.
Lyemun Central.
West.
In this battery also the sills of the embrasures should be altered to allow Lyemun the guns to bear on the channel.
The walls behind the emplacement should be removed. They would only act as shell traps.
Lyemun Redoubt.
This work is surrounded by a deep ditch, the sides of which are cut vertically in the soft disintegrated granite. The escarp is giving way, although an attempt has been made to prevent this by a chenam facing.
As the ditch has been made it will be necessary to revet the sides, and also to raise the counterscarp, in order to cover from the sea the large amount of exposed escarp.
Lyemun East (Reverse Battery).
If this work had not been so far advanced we should have recommended that the 40-prs. should be retained. It seems a pity to place powerful guns in a position where they could only fire one round at a passing vessel.
No planting has been commenced about these batteries. Care should be taken only to plant shrubs and trees of the same description as those growing in the neighbourhood. The glacis of the different works should be thickly covered with prickly pear.
Central.
WESTERN DEFENCES.
The western defences, as at present designed, consist of batteries at Belcher's and Fly Points, another battery nearer the town, the site for which is not yet settled, batteries on Stonecutter Island, and a battery at Kowloon West.
(625)
Page 5
4
Page 5
Page 5Page 6
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.