CAB7-4 — Page 275

Page 275

247

Page 275

140

first is to the north-west towards Passir Panjang, inside the lateral range of the second 7-inch gun, and The target where the squadron would be opposed to the fire of one 7-inch gun and two 64-pounders. presented by these guns from this position is of a different nature to what it is on the front attack. There the figure circumscribing the centres of fire is a long flat triangle, nearly approaching a straight line (fig. 1*), but as seen from Passir Panjang it is a small isosceles triangle with the centres of fire nearer and more above one another. Now in the practice of gunnery, especially as conducted from on board Thus we see what a much ship, the error of horizontal range is small compared with the vertical error. better target fig. 2 is than fig. 1,* and what a much greater chance there is of hitting some one of the guns. It may also be remarked that the two guns not in action are not quite safe against enfilade fire. The covering traverses are certainly 8 ft. 6 in. higher than their platform levels, but this will not pro- tect them if the squadron is engaging the battery at a long range with consequent rapid angle of descent.

Appendix No. 4.

SINGAPORE,

of metal.

46. In addition to the advantage gained by the improved target, let me for a moment compare the Comparative weights opposing weights of metal in the present position. The wooden squadron will still discharge 1,744 lbs. from the broadside, and the two iron-clads 2,500 lbs. more, whilst the battery will discharge 243 lbs. only each round, not taking into calculation the weight of the gas checks. The ratio between the weights of projectiles thrown by the battery and the two squadrons is thus increased from 1: 5 and 1:12 respectively to 1:7 and 1:17. Thus, considering the disposition of the guns as opposed to the wooden squadron only, the three guns engaged would probably be silenced without the assistance of the iron-clads, though doubtless the ships would receive serious injuries before they were able to do so.

47. The gun-vessels could then cautiously approach the entrance of the harbour, whilst the heavier After attack, vessels, which could not be handled like the gun-boats, would take up the front position to pour a concentrated fire on, anu silence the other 7-inch gun bearing on the channel of approach.

48. The second position is to the south-east, and is what I may call the indirect attack, for whilst the South-east position. same number and description of guns have to be engaged, viz., one 7-inch and two 64-pounders, the squadron will, after silencing them, have to fight the two 7-inch guns bearing on the channel, instead of one 7-inch, whilst the operations of the gun-boats cannot take place immediately after the preliminary attack, but only after the right flank 7-inch gun, at all events, has been silenced. The ratio of metal at the second position is the same as at the first, but the target presented is not so good, so that the work of silencing the guns will be more difficult and of longer duration, with a consequent greater damage to the squadron.

49. Thus we see that Mount Siloso Battery, as it stands, would beat off a cruizer, and would not probably be silenced by a front attack of half-a-dozen wooden vessels. That such a squadron would, in all probability, silence it by taking up a preliminary attacking position towards Passir Panjang and That another getting the guns at a disadvantage, though it would sustain damage itself in doing so. position, not so good as that just mentioned, but better than the front attack, may be taken up on the south-east. That the presence of iron-clads would insure the success of the squadron, as the battery guns cannot pierce 6 inches of iron at 2,000 yards,

General condition of

Mount Siloso Battery.

50. A few remarks on the battery itself. In the first place, the command above the level of the Inherent defects of sea is more than is desirable. If the highest barbette gun stood at an elevation of 120 feet (instead of battery itself. 170 feet, as it does), and, consequently, the lower 7-inch guns at an elevation of 80 feet, the position would be much improved, and greater precision could be insured from the guns. Then, at a distance of 700 yards, is Mount Imbeah, 32 feet higher than Mount Siloso, and as this hill may be occupied by hostile riflemen, the battery has to be defiladed accordingly-the two upper emplacements by sand-bag bonnettes on the traverses, the terreplein by a high loopholed-wall, an inconvenient arrangement, which does not cover the defenders of the curtain of the horn-work. The ditches are imperfectly flanked they are of small dimensions, and attackable on the left gorge and flank, where the concrete escarp has not been carried round. The horn-work runs across a spur of too large dimensions to be included in a temporary work, and in front of this spur the ground falls very steeply. making a large dead angle. There is an absence of barrack accommodation, main magazine, laboratory, artillery stores, and such like accessories; neither is there a well of water in the work.

51. An examination of the zones of fire shown on the chart reveals two weak points. First of all, it will be noticed that the isolated character of Tanjong Katong Battery makes it very open to an attack which its weak armament will find difficult to beat off. Also, that it is in such a retired position that, if the object of the enemy be to force an entrance and not bombard the town, he could keep close to the Outer Shoal, and even pass over it at high water, without being touched probably by the guns of the battery.

Eastern defence. Two weak points. Isolation of Tanjong Katong Battery.

battery.

52. Though strong in design and possessing good means of self-defence, the battery has the disad- Battery à fleur d'eau. vantage of being constructed on a site which brings the guns à fleur d'eau. This disadvantage is partially compensated for by the presence of shoal water in its front for a distance of 1,600 yards, so that ships cannot engage it at close range. Considering the position, however, there is no doubt that the guns should be heavier and in greater number. As it stands, the battery would beat off a cruizer attempting Condition of the to silence it before taking up a position to bombard the town, but would have to succumb before the attack of a squadron composed of as at page 246. The ratio between the amount of metal thrown by the battery and squadron would be about the same as in the front attack on Mount Siloso Battery, viz., as 1 to 5, but the opportunities of hitting are reduced from 4 to 3 per round, and whilst the commanding position of Mount Siloso would probably secure the victory to the battery, the low-lying position of Tanjong Katong would reverse the situation.

south-east of Blakang

53. The second point for consideration is, that there is a large arc to the south-east of battery Dead angle and Blakang Mati East, which is swept by the fire of one 64-pounder only. Thus there is nothing to silencing position to prevent a ship or a squadron lying of Pulau Sikukur-in prolongation of the line of the battery-- Mati. and bombarding it with impunity. As, however, it has considerable command, and is provided with

• Not printed.

Page 275

Page 275

Page 275Page 276