CAB11-57-2 — Page 9

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3. SUBMARINE MINING.

Submarine Mining Establishment.

Submarine mining.

The submarine mining establishment is not sufficiently large for the Submarine amount of work which will be thrown upon it in the event of war.

It would have been better to have had two establishments, one at Stonecutter Island, where there is a capital site for such an establishment, and the other near the Lyemun Pass.

Considerable difficulties lie in the way of an extension of the present establishment. It cannot be extended to the south as the Infantry barracks lie behind it, whilst the cost of reclaiming the foreshore would be considerable. With regard to an extension by a reclamation of the ground in front, it may be found necessary to increase the ordnance store yard by this means, and in that case the wall should be carried in front of the submarine mining establishment.

Submarine Mining Defences.

mining establish- ment.

defences.

Neither the eastern nor the western defences can at present be considered Submarine satisfactory. The former are so extensive that a really efficient defence is mining impossible, unless a permanent obstruction be placed on Kellet's Bank. In a letter to the Officer Commanding the Troops, China and Straits Settlements, dated 12th June 1886, we have urged this course upon the Colonial authorities, vide Appendix I. In case, however, of their non-compliance, the approved plan of defence seems the best which can be adopted.

At the Lyemun Pass, until the experiments authorized have been completed and more experience gained, it is impossible to decide definitely the most suitable arrangement for the mines or what description of mines to employ. Meanwhile it will be best to adhere to the approved system of defence.

Guard Boats.

boats.

There is a large number of launches in the harbour suitable for guard- Guard boat service. Two of them are fitted with Nordenfelt 1-inch machine guns, provided last year, when war was anticipated. At the same time volunteer crews for service with these boats were organized, and could be again enrolled in time of need.

Torpedo Boats.

We understand that six torpedo boats are in course of supply.

4. ELECTRIC LIGHT ARRANGEMENTS.

Torpedo boats.

During our stay at Hong Kong, experiments were carried out with the Electric Victoria-Brush generator at Stonecutter Island, to ascertain the best positions light for the projectors.

Subsequently sites were selected at Stonecutter, Belcher's Point, and the Lyemun Pass for the emplacements of the projectors for both the fixed and the moveable beams.

5. ARSENAL, LABORATORY, &c.

arrange- ments.

The site of the arsenal is, on the whole, convenient, but there is not Arsenal. sufficient depth of water nor are there mechanical appliances for landing heavy weights.

More storage accommodation is required, but the submarine mining establishment adjoins the arsenal, and interferes with its extension. Space could be obtained by reclaiming the foreshore in continuation of the sea wall, which has been built by the Colony, and which runs along the front of the

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