CAB7-4 — Page 360

Page 360

Appendix No. 4.

HONG KONG.

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332

The cost would be as follows:-

Kowloon East-

Two 9-gun emplacements Armament, two 9-inch guns

Kowloon West-

£

7,200

::

::

4,924

12,124

Converting three emplacements for 7-inch guns to 10-inch Armament, three 10-inch guns

8,944

10,755

Gun emplacement, one 64-pounder (gun-carriage and platform in store).. Field works on Observatory Hill (six field-guns in store)

2,333

900

22,932

Stonecutter's Island.

35,056

The position assigned to the battery at] Stonecutter's West is, the Committee consider, one of great importance for the protection of the western entrance. Consequently, they recommend that the site should be lowered 50 feet, and made large enough to take three 10-inch guns. armament of two 10-inch guns is held to be sufficient for Stonecutter's Central Battery.

An

As regards Stonecutter's East, the two guns in that position would undoubtedly be more effective if they were placed on the top of the Cosmopolitan Dock Hill, on the Kowloon Peninsula. However, it is desirable to concentrate as much as possible the defences of Kowloon and Stonecutter's Island, and on this account the Committee has adopted the site on Stonecutter's East in preference to that on

the mainland.

In rear of this battery, which will be armed with 7-inch rifle muzzle-loading guns, will be placed a defensible barrack for 200 men, and the site of the colonial gaol would offer a good position for the submarine mining establishment.

The cost of the works as above would be

Stonecutter's West

Emplacements for three 10-inch guns

Armament

..

Stonecutter's Central Converting emplacements and inclosing battery, two 9-inch guns

Armament

•

Stonecutter's East-Battery for two 7-inch guns

•

One 64-pounder at Stonecutter's North (armament in store) Defensible barrack

13,942

10,755

2,950

4,295

4,730

2,333

18,400

57,405

Belcher's Point Bat-

tery.

No change is proposed in the arrangements suggested for Belcher's Point Battery except that a 64-pounder gun has been added for the defence of the mine-field.

The road from Hong Kong to Aberdeen should be closed by an open work placed above the road at a point which gives an uninterrupted view of Sandy Bay.

A breastwork should be placed on the spur of the hill north-west of the reservoir, as shown in plan, and the parapet along the edge of the water duct should be lowered to make it practicable for musketry.

It is recommended that barracks for a company of infantry and for half a battery of artillery should be erected here.

The cost would be:

£

Battery

13,310

Armament, three 10-inch guns

10,755

Gun emplacement for one 64-pounder gun (gun-carriage and platform in store) Barracks for one company and half a battery..

2,333

15,000

41,398

2. Gun-boats and Submarine Defences.

The Committee consider that, instead of two gun-boats of the "Comet " class, it would be preferable to have two gun-boats, each capable of carrying a 38-ton gun, and each provided with a field-piece and a machine-gun. The four torpedo-boats would be sufficient, but a slip would be required for them at the naval coal depôt.

A large number of spar torpedo-boats could be improvised on an emergency, and fittings for at least twelve launches should be kept in store.

The details of the measures connected with the submarine mines will be found in a separate inclosure by Lieutenant Friend, R.E.*

The cost of the gun-boats, &c., will be:-

Two gun-boats

Armament (field-guns in store)

Four torpedo-boats and fittings for twelve

Slip at naval coal depôt

Submarine mines

£

48,000

12,950

18,950

350

19,000

98,300

3. Infantry Posts.

The Committee have selected four posts from which the roads leading to Victoria over the central ridge may be defended. They are as follows:

Victoria Gap.

Mount Gough. Wanchai Gap. Stanley Gap.

* See Inclosure 4.

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