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EXISTING AND REQUIRED DOCKS ON EACH STATION.

[N.B.—Only Docks with a depth of 18 feet or more over the Sill are dealt with.]

MEDITERRANEAN STATION.

The Mediterranean has always been, and is likely to be, a great theatre for naval war. Here will be concentrated the great fleets in a contest with Southern European Powers. At present the sole British docks are at Malta as given below :-

Gibraltar.

Malta is 2,000 miles from England, the important strategical position of Gibraltar being about half-way between them. It is highly probable that at or near this point squadrons will frequently be and actions be fought, and to make full use of its possession for naval uses docks are all important, as though steam has brought Gibraltar within four days of England there will be many cases when the power of repairing or cleaning ships locally will greatly affect the success of operations, while after an engagement it is very probable that some vessels would be unable to make the voyage to England or Malta in safety. Gibraltar is not a great mercantile port, and there is no great demand for mercantile docks. Therefore, and also as a minor reason, because the configuration of its shores allows of no spot for docks except at the existing dockyard, it is necessary that the docks and the establishment necessary to work them should be naval. The few merchant vessels which in time of peace require repair can be received in the naval docks.

The docks to be of full value must all be first-class, as the provision is in view of fleets of battle-ships. To use the docks, machinery and staff are necessary, there being no private establishment. When the breakwater is completed a certain proportion of the Mediterranean Fleet would presumably affect repairs here and relieve the congestion at Malta.

Malta.

The provision of docks at Gibraltar will get over the great difficulty of finding space at Malta for further docks, wanted for the general service of the fleet.

The question of the accommodation of ships afloat at Malta is, however, serious. The present fleet can only be berthed, and with great difficulty, during fine summer weather. In winter several ships must be elsewhere, and besides these vessels, any additional ships in war time cannot muster at Malta concurrently with the present flcet, except in the open anchorage of Marsa Scirocco, exposed to torpedo attack.

Every Commander-in-chief has represented the most serious consequences that may result in war.

It must also be borne in mind that in war there will be a great aggregation of British merchant steamers at Malta, the vessels now coaling at Algiers neces- sarily calling here for coal or convoy.

A proposal has been considered, and has lately been independently put forward by the Maltese Government, for the construction of a breakwater across the entrance of the Grand Harbour. This, while protecting merchant vessels, and enabling five more men-of-war to lie in safety in Bighi Bay, will also have the advantage of aiding the defence from torpedo-boat attack. It is presumed that this will be carried out at the joint cost of the Imperial and Colonial Governments.

This will not, however, nearly provide for the needs of war, and two additional schemes have been proposed. One to utilize the Quarantine Harbour by deepening, and the construction of a breakwater. The other to protect Marsa Scirocco by breakwaters. These have both been laid before the Board, and are now under consideration.

List of important docks :-

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