CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 247

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The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that the Local Committee be invited to submit proposals for any Q.F. guns and electric light instal- lation required for the defence of the harbour, and at the same time to amend the Harbour Regulations in accordance with the Colonial Defence Committee's remarks of April 1894. All mention of mine-fields can be excluded, as none are contemplated at Port Castries.

W. PEACOCKE, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

(Signed)

August 13, 1894.

Grenada/6728.

*

DRAFT HARBOUR TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, PORT CASTRIES.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee, dated April 1894.

1. In Regulation (1) a very limited examination anchorage is given, which would be inconvenient for vessels making the port from the south or south-east, and in Regulation (4) it is ordained that a vessel lying-to in any other position is to be treated as an enemy after warning by a shot. In other words, a British merchant-vessel, unaware of the precise Regulations, will be sunk without further ado, as she cannot interpret the meaning of a shot fired after she has stopped. Such a Regulation could only lead to confusion and disaster.

All that is required is to insure that a vessel shall be stopped at a certain distance off the port until she is in possession of a permit to enter. Any point outside, say, the area defined by Mount Flambeau, bearing north-east by east, and Mount Cabrite, bearing south by west, would answer the purpose.

2. The proposed day signal would be liable to be mistaken. It already means something in the Alphabetical Table. The ordinary signal for a pilot would sufficiently indicate the vessel's wish to enter.

The proposed night signal is complicated, and merchant-vessels often have not the lanterns. The ordinary blowing of a steam-whistle would answer in the case of a steamer, or fog-horn for a sailing-ship.

The private signal permitting entry would be made by the official sent out to examine the vessel. It can be arranged locally, and be altered every day if thought desirable.

3. British war-ships must be exempted from any troublesome restric- tions that would cause delay. Port Castries has been defended to serve as a naval base, and our war-ships must have ready access to the harbour at all times. In their case all that is requisite is for them to make the secret or prearranged signal. This should be answered at once.

4. A patrolling steamer on the approaches to the harbour is unnecessary, and would tend to embarrass the shore batteries. A more extended area of water can be overlooked by day or night from the signal station at the Vigie or other high ground on shore than from any such vessel. All that is required is an examination steamer to go out to meet any merchant-vessel making for the harbour.

5. A penalty in the shape of a fine for disobeying an order of the Harbour-master is much to be deprecated. In war-time such an inducement to obedience is scarcely needed; while to fine our own ships would be discouraging to trade, and to fine a foreigner would in all probability intro- duce complications.

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