CAB7-4 — Page 383

Page 383

355

Page 383

194

terminates at Cooktown on the east coast, where it branches off overland to Kimberley, on the Gulf of Appendix No. 4. Carpentaria. Both these places are about 450 miles south of Thursday Island. The telegraph must ultimately be extended to the island for the convenience of trade and shipping.

THURSDAY ISLAND.

Commodore Wilson, R.N., indicates Thursday Island as one of the places which must be occupied in time of war, in order to establish a chain of coal depôts and points d'appui for the general naval Thursday Island must defence of Australia. In a War Office Memorandum, dated the 17th May, 1881,* which has been be occupied in time forwarded to me for perusal, it is stated that Thursday Island and Normanby Sound are of great strategical importance, "as the trade not only between Singapore and the Eastern Colonies of Australia, but also between the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, passes through Torres Strait."

The island at the same time stands in a different category from other places in Australia, which are now being fortified, or may have to be protected in the future against attack. It is situated at a great distance from any large Settlement, and although, in course of time, outlets for the export of coal, minerals, sugar, and other produce are certain to be established along the shores of Northern Queensland, Thursday Island will continue to be simply an advanced post for the general defence of Australia, and a port of call and harbour of refuge for commercial purposes.

The protection of Thursday Island, in time of war, would no doubt be costly and embarrassing if entirely undertaken by the Imperial Government; but, as in the case of King George Sound in the south, it would be infinitely more embarrassing if the place were left undefended and became the only weak point in Australia. Whether the burden of providing adequate defences should be shared between the mother country and her great Australian dependencies is a question which does not come within my province to discuss; but I would lay special stress upon the necessity of looking at the defence of Thursday Island as part and parcel of the general scheme of Australian defence by land and sea.

of war.

The time has come for an attempt to be made to induce the Australian Governments to combine Combined action for in order to place the defences of these important Colonies on a satisfactory footing. Queensland is Australian defences. more particularly interested in the proposal for federal action, owing to the vast length of the sea-board

of the Colony, and the great commercial interests at stake.

I find that it is the general opinion of the commanders of steamers, and others interested in Thursday Island best Australian commerce, that Thursday Island is the best place in Torres Strait that could have been for port of call. selected for a port of call and other purposes. At one time considerable difference of opinion existed on the subject, as will be seen on reference the annexed Report† from Commander Heath, R N., the Chief Harbour Master of Queensland. After an inspection of the locality, I am led to confirm the selection which was made by that officer after a careful inquiry.

There is every probability of a depôt being established on the island for supplying coal to the As a coal depôt. vessels of the British India Steam Navigation Company, which now carry the Queensland mails, with the view of abandoning Batavia (Java) as a coaling-station. Australian coal, costing less than Welsh coal, could thereby be supplied. I am informed that a good seam of coal has recently been found near Cooktown.

him.

To sum up, the necessity for securing a fortified coal depôt in the north of Australia for naval

Enemy could Occupy defence does not admit of question, if the security of Australia generally be desired. Were this Thursday Island, and connecting link with the East left undefended in time of war, an enterprising enemy could, on its difficult to dislodge outbreak, take possession of Torres Strait, with a view to ulterior operations against Australian com- merce. Once the enemy was established, it would be a very difficult task to dislodge him,

The geographical position of Torres Strait and of Thursday Island, with its surroundings, must now be described.

The island lies in the midst of a group situated in the southern portion of Torres Strait, about 20 miles to the north-west of Cape York, the most northerly point of the Australian continent. The strait, which is about 70 miles across from land to land, separates New Guinea from Queensland, which Colony comprises the north-eastern portion of Australia.

To the west of Torres Strait the sea is open, and the only dangers to ships approaching from that direction are the Proudfoot Shoal and Cook's Reefs, about 30 miles off. The soundings being regular, afford no indication of danger. To render navigation more secure, a light-ship is about to be placed on the Proudfoot Shoal.

Geographical descrip-

tion of Thursday Island and Torres

Strait.

On the other hand, the east side of the strait is bounded by the northern end of the Great Barrier Channels through Reefs, and the whole strait is more or less obstructed by numerous islands and extensive reefs, Torres Strait.. rendering the navigation very dangerous. Although there are many channels and passages through the reefs of Torres Strait, there is only one which is used by large vessels-Prince of Wales Channel, to the north of, and close to, Thursday Island. This channel is decidedly the best of all the western channels through the Strait, as it is the safest, the most expeditious, and easy to navigate. It is about 10 miles long by 1 mile wide, with regular soundings from 7 to 10 fathoms. Although the tide flows with considerable velocity-3 to 5 knots-it so nearly follows the direction of the channel that the navigation is not difficult. Further south lies Endeavour Strait, another channel between the group of islands and the mainland. Whilst it is the most extensive of the western channels, and quite practicable with due precaution, it is not to be preferred, on account of the numerous and dangerous sunken patches in it. The small coasting steamers, which trade along the western coast of Queensland, pass by it when they do not call at Thursday Island. It will be seen hereafter that Prince of Wales Channel is completely under observation from a signal station within a short distance of Thursday Island. To watch Endeavour Strait additional look-out stations would have to be established in time of war.

The other channels in the north are not used, although they might be navigated with great precautions. In a Report to the Queensland Government from Mr. Chester it is stated "that there is probably a deep passage between Talbot Island and New Guinea which, if properly surveyed and marked, would be available for the largest vessels. If so, a man-of-war, by sending her steam-launch ahead to sound, could in moderate weather avoid Torres Strait, ie., Prince of Wales Channel,

+ Not printed.

* No. 106.

Page 383

Page 383

Page 383