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FLOATING DEFENCES.*

*

Appendix No. 4.

HONG KONG.

Floating defences and torpedoes

With reference to the recommendation in paragraph 10 of the despatch of the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 6th March, 1880,† that Her Majesty's Government should rely more on floating forts, such as the iron-clad " Wivern," and torpedo defences, than on a costly as a means of defence for Hong scheme of numerous land batteries, it need only be pointed out that even to Kong. provide one vessel of the "Wivern" class and two heavy gun-boats, with a certain number of torpedo launches, would involve an immediate outlay of 280,0007., a sum greater by 100,0007. than the actual cost of the works and armament now proposed.

The cost of maintenance, too, would be much higher than that of works on shore. To defend Hong Kong by naval means, even against the Chinese, would require, I may say, at least double, if not three times, the above-mentioned force. Further, to secure these vessels for harbour defence exclusively, it is pre- sumed that their cost would have to be defrayed from the Vote for the defences of the place, as they would not be available for the general service of the navy.

If by "torpedoes" is meant a system of submarine mining defence, it has been already explained why any regular system of such defence is not applicable to Hong Kong, and, if it were, the mines would be of no use unless protected by guns on shore.

CONCLUSION.

In conclusion, the scheme of defence, as laid down in this letter, is entirely in accordance with that of the Local Defence Committee as regards the positions and main armament of the sea batteries.

The main points of difference are :—

a few detached groups of

1. That it is here proposed to substitute electro-contact mines for a regular system of submarine mining defence.

2. That a regular cavalry force has not been considered necessary, and has not been provided for.

3. That an increase of the strength of the infantry force at Belcher's Point has been recommended.

The total cost being estimated at:-

Batteries

Armament

Submarine mines and extra store buildings Barracks

Entrenched posts, &c.

Mountain batteries

Naval defences

Add for hospital

•

:

:

£

93,908

77,545

4,000

89,240

25,000

500

80,000

370,193

25,000

Cost of floating defences.

Say

..

395,193

400,000

I have, &c.

(Signed)

W. CROSSMAN, Colonel, R.E.

DEFENCES OF HONG KONG.

Sea Defences (Military).

(Table No. 1.)-RETURN showing Armament and Cost.

Cost.

Battery.

Armament.

Total Cost.

Works, Armament.

No. of Royal Artillery.

Remarks.

Eastern-

Kowloon Dock North Point

4 10-in.

£ 12,810

£ 14,340

3 9-in.

3,225

7,386

£ 27,150 10,611

68

51

Conversion of old battery. Ditto.

Quarry Point

4 10-in.

2 64-prs.

22,131

14,335

36,466

100

New battery casemated.

Central-

3 10-in.

Kowloon West

11,277

1 64-pr.

10,755

22,032

68

Battery to be remodelled; 64-pr. as

Kowloon East.

2 9-in.

East

9,533

J

1 64-pr.

4,921

14,457

51

New Battery, 64-pr., to aid in defence of position at Kowloon. Gun in store.

Western-

Stonecutter's East

2 7-in.

4,730

In store.

4,730

31

Central West

2 9-in.

2,950

4,295

7,245

34

Converted battery.

3 10-in.

13,942

10,755

24,697

51

"

Belcher's Point

3 10-in.

..

13,310

10,755

24,065

51

Total

30

93,908

77,545

171,453 508

17 10-in. M.L.R. guus.

7 9-in.

Total

57

2 7-in.

4 64-prs.

* See Table No. 5.

† See Inclosure 1 in No. 88.

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