CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 334

V. I. G. F. m (For record)

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. October 1895.

SECRET.

117R

NATAL.

Page 334

NATAL.

No. 12783.

Report of Local Joint Naval and Military Committee

of June 1895.

fings

Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committec concur in this Report of the Local Joint Naval and Military Committee except as regards their opinion that alternative mountings for the proposed two 3-pr. Q F. and one machine-gun might be placed with advantage on tug-boats. Such lightly-armed and unprotected vessels might easily be destroyed or captured by any cruiser strong enough to make a raid on the port, and the special armament for defence against attack by torpedo or other boats would then be lost.

The Colonial Defence Committee see, however, no objection to alter- native cone mountains for the Q.F. guns being fixed at the end of the pier. The full advantage of the quick-firing principle would then be gained in the case of an attempt to make a direct entry into the harbour, while the field mountings would be utilized in the event of boats trying to approach any part of the adjoining coast.

October 14, 1895.

(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON,—22/10/95.

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