CAB11-57-6 — Page 38

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The tools will be issued from the Ordnance Stores with the Sectional camp equipment; they will be stacked by the 'guard-tent in charge of the guard until a mat-shed is provided for them.

When the works are completed, all tools which the Officer Commanding the Section deems it unnecessary to retain will be returned to Ordnance Store.

The howitzer batteries not already prepared and the blockhouses at Kowloon will be constructed by hired contract labour so far as available.

Tents being very conspicuous and in many seasons unsuitable, will be replaced by mat-sheds as soon as they can be constructed. The following is an estimate of the cost involved :-

Dol.

Section Ι

2,550

II

2,500

15

III

2,900

IV

3,200

*

3)

PE

V VI

2,900

1,050

Net Total

15,100

Add 5 per cent. for pressure..

755

Gross total

15,855

(ii.) Submarine Mining.

1. The system of submarine mining defence is in accordance with plans which have been approved by the War Office.

2. There are four mine-fields, numbered I to IV. There is also a Brennan Torpedo Installation at Lyemun.

3. The force available for laying and maintaining the mine-fields and working the Brennan torpedo consists of the Hong Kong Company, Royal Engineers (55 Europeans, including 5 officers, and 50 natives); 5 S.M. Supernumerary Staff, including a S.M. Storekeeper; and 6 Chinese civilians, permanently employed, viz., 1 coxswain, 3 engine-drivers, and 2 stokers.

4. The vessels available are the submarine mining steam-vessels "Solent" and "Miner," a cable-lighter, the "Megohm," 4 J.B. pinnaces, and a few smaller boats.

5. The Divisional Officer, Submarine Mining, will superintend the laying and maintenance of the submarine mining defences, for the efficiency of which he is responsible. His post will normally be at the S.M. Establishment in Wellington Barracks.

He will be assisted in the work of laying out by his officers as follows:-

An officer in the "Solent."

An officer in the "Miner.”

An officer in the "Megohm.'

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The Quartermaster will remain at the S.M. Establishment in charge of S.M. Stores, and will assist the D.O.S.M. generally.

The officer in charge of the "Solent," being also Station Torpedo Officer, will proceed to the Brennan Torpedo Installation as soon as he can be spared from laying- out duties. This would usually be by the afternoon of the second day, by which time. the officer with the "Megohm" would have completed the laying of the main cables and be available to replace the officer on the "Solent."

6. On the order being given for laying out, which order will only be issued by the General Officer Commanding after he has obtained the concurrence of the Senior Naval Officer present, the D.O.S.M. will hire launches and men as follows:-

Megohm" when laying multiple cables,

(1) A powerful launch, to tow the "Megohm

required for two days.

(2.) A fairly fast ordinary launch, to be utilized for sending testing parties, &c.,

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