CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 273

Page 273

2

4. Defence Lights.-Although there is no mine-field defence, the Committee consider (see paragraph 10) that a certain measure of electric lighting should be provided. A single installation should suffice, viz., at the end of the western breakwater, as proposed in the Report, consisting of one beam capable of being traversed to expose vessels approaching and observe the treatment of the boarding officer, and of one fixed beam of 20 to 30 degrees divergence bearing across the entrance to the harbour and to the north of the anchorage..

5. Q.F. Armament.—The end of the west breakwater offers a good site for two light Q.F. guns and one machine-gun, but no special provision of these guns seems necessary. They could, it is thought, be supplied by the existing movable armament.

Simon's Bay.

6. The remarks on boarding boats above at paragraph 1, Table Bay, viz., that armed tug-boats are unnecessary, and that steam-launches would answer the purpose perfectly well, apply still more forcibly to Simon's Bay, which will be used in war-time mainly by our own war-ships, and only occasionally by our merchant-vessels as a place of refuge.

In the case of our incoming war-vessels, all that is necessary is for them to make the secret or prearranged signal, which should be answered at once, and the arrivals of merchant-vessels would be few and far between. Thus no regular examination anchorage is necessary, and the work in connection with the actual boarding of vessels will be light. The Committee fully concur in the recommendation of the Naval Commander-in-chief that at Simon's Bay the arrangements afloat should be left entirely to the Senior Naval Officer present. There must always be a responsible naval officer in charge of the Dockyard, and he could quite well arrange for the work.

7. Defence Lights.-Although there is no mine-field, the Colonial Defence Committee concur that two installations should be provided, viz., one near Lower North Battery and one near Blockhouse Point, each installation to consist of one fixed beam of about 10 degrees divergence and one search beam. The fixed beams to be directed so as not to interfere with the navigation of incoming vessels.

8. Q.F. Armament. The Committee learn that a proposal is at present under consideration by the War Office to provide two 4.7-inch Q.F. guns instead of the 7-inch R.M.L. guns in Lower North Battery, and this would meet the requirements at that site. A similar provision of two Q.F. guns might be made for the site near Blockhouse Point, as recommended in the Report.

The fixed post vessel at Roman Rock appears unnecessary.

9. Signal Stations.-This subject would be better dealt with in the General Defence Scheme.

With regard to the Table Bay group, the Colonial Defence Committee consider that the necessity for a shore station on Robben Island seems ques- tionable, and they have already, when dealing with the Defence Scheme of 1894, suggested for local consideration whether the new station at Saldanha Bay and the station at Lion's Rump do not form a sufficient look-out system towards the north and west. One intermediate shore station, say near Gans Kraal, might perhaps be added, but any useless multiplication of signal stations is to be avoided.

As regards the Simon's Bay group, stations at Cape Agulhas, Danger Point, Hanglip Point, and Cape Point, with one at Slang Kop Point between the Simon's Bay and Table Bay groups, should suffice.

It is recommended that the local Committee should reconsider this impor- tant question, and, in consultation with the Colonial authorities, furnish a detailed scheme for connecting the proposed new signal stations with the telegraph system of the Colony and head-quarters.

It is understood that at some of the proposed points signal stations already exist, and it is possible that, in consideration of the value in peace-time to the shipping interests of the Colony of early notice of approaching merchant- vessels, the Colonial authorities might be willing to extend their existing chain of stations. The personnel required for the remainder could then be provided by forming a small staff of trained signalmen, as suggested above in para- graph 2, and as has been proposed in the case of the Mauritius.

Page 273

Page 273