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even without arousing suspicions if British or neutral flags were hoisted-any of these vessels, or any vessels under repair, might be interned and not available for the purposes of the war. In addition large gun mountings, which it has been ascertained have to be dispatched by sea, might be detained, thus holding up work at Government dockyards, and the repairing facilities of Messrs. Vickers would cease to be available to our ships at a moment when they might be most urgently required.

14. At the Royal dockyard ports elaborate arrangements are made for guarding against the danger of "blockers" by means of navul patrols, examination services, and powerful fixed defences. Messrs. Vickers' works are of an importance to the Royal Navy, not out of all proportion to that of some of our Royal dockyards, and the approaches thereto lend themselves to blocking operations better there than those of any of the latter. Even the character of the imports to Barrow, more than half of which consiste of such articles as iron ore, pig iron, sand, stone, gravel, clay, and coal, tends to facilitate blocking operations (Appendix III). The Home Ports Defence Committee are of opinion, therefore, that the safety of this important shipbuilding and repairing centre should be provided for, if the cost is not out of all reasonable proportion to the advantage gained. It appears to them that the value of the existing fixed defences is to a large extent discounted, if the entrance to the port remains undefended as at present.

15. The expenditure involved in the establishment of a new shore battery, armed with two 6-inch guns, capable of commanding the entrance channel and examination ground, would be about 26,0801., with an annual recurring charge of about 3,7001. for personnel (vide Appendix III). This is a very small sum compared with the contracts placed with Messrs. Vickers annually by the Government.

Conclusion:

16. Having regard to the importance to the Royal Navy of keeping free at all times the sea communication with Messrs. Vickers' works at Barrow, and to the difficulty which the Admiralty anticipate in the removal of an obstruction in the entrance channel, the Home Ports Defence Committee feel justified in reversing the opinion they expressed in December 1909, recorded in II.P.D.C. Memorandum No. 7-M. They recommend that an Examination Service under military responsibility should be established at Barrow and that a supporting battery (either fixed or floating) should be provided.

(Signed) BARRY DOMVILE, Secretary,

Home Ports Defence Committee.

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2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.,

March 20, 1913.

[557]

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