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DEFENCES OF OUR COALING STATIONS.

No. I.—HONG KONG.

Since the days when the “gay cavalier” condemned his faithless mistress to a justly merited exile in Hong Kong, the current and popular impressions of this colony have been associated with a remote little island at the mouth of the Chekiang, or Pearl River, which appears like a mere dot upon the map of China - and is, in very fact, a geographical expression ! But when it is borne in mind that this “dot” possesses an actual trade influence of £20,000,000 per annum, and that upwards of a hundred large steamers and sailing vessels may often be counted in its capacious harbour at one and the same time; that there are 180,000 permanent residents in the island, including upwards of 8000 Europeans; and that a greater tonnage of shipping is annually entered there than was registered at the Port of London in 1840—the immense commercial importance of the “land of fragrant streams" begins to be partially appreciated.

This importance has for a length of time been fully recognised by the heads of great Oriental business houses, not only those hailing from the United Kingdom, but from Germany, Portugal, France and America. When we mention that only a few years ago the junior mess of Messrs. Jardine, Mathieson, and Co., at Hong Kong, received a pecuniary allowance from the firm of £4000 per annum, the position of these merchant princes in their more palmy days will be understood.

Since then great changes have taken place, and a more wholesome economy has been observed. This has not only been carried out by individual firms, but in the colony as a whole. Such being the case, it was ascertained, some years ago, that the policy of retrenchment inaugurated by Sir Pope Hennessy had resulted in a saving of £300,000 to the Colonial exchequer.

About this time the question of coaling station defence began to be mooted, and it was decided to spend part of it in fortifying the town and harbour of the island. Sir William Crossman, who had gone out from England to report upon the defences of Singapore and Hong Kong, originated an extensive system of fortifications for the latter place. These included batteries to the east and west of the island, commanding the Lammas Channel, and the Lye-ee-Moon Pass; also works upon Stonecutters’ Island, and upon Green Island which commands the western approaches to the harbour; and batteries upon the Kowloon Peninsula, on the mainland of China opposite to Victoria.

The defences up to 1879 had consisted of a feeble open work off the east end of the town, called Wellington battery, mounting a few smooth bore popguns. No works existed for the protection of either entrance to the harbour, so that, in the absence of British war vessels, the town of Victoria, the anchorage, and the naval establishment, might, at that date, have been shelled with impunity by an enemy’s fleet.

In consequence of the recommendations of Sir W. Crossman, special works were commenced in 1883, some of a permanent character, others of the nature of open redoubts. The greater part of these are now completed, and they effectually protect the channels, by which access is obtained to the harbour. A number of heavy rifled muzzle-loading guns, including 9in. and 10in., are mounted in batteries at East Point, beyond Jardine’s and the old Mint, which sweep the whole of the anchorage from Pedder Wharf eastwards; and further out, in the throat of the Lye-ee-Moon Pass are redoubts armed with 6in. steel breech-loaders of the latest pattern. These command the approaches to Victoria in that direction.

Opposite, upon the Kowloon Peninsula, batteries have also been erected which seal the north-west channels. The Lammas Pass, due west, is protected by batteries of heavy muzzle-loaders, and by works mounting 6in. steel breech-loading guns at Belcher's Point and upon Green Island opposite.

Stonecutters’ Island, in conjunction with the west Kowloon battery, completes the circuit north of this spot, and submarine fields have been laid down on all shoal spots in this direction. A proportion of 6-pounder and 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns has also been ordered for the completion of these defensive works, and they will probably be despatched in the spring.

Another important work, which was the result of Sir W. Crossman’s visit, is the reclaiming of a large, shallow lagoon at the entrance to the “Happy Valley,” beyond Jardine’s, called Causeway Bay. It is almost the only flat piece of ground in the Colony beside the racecourse, and has been reclaimed at enormous cost. When it is remembered that such spots are the only possible sites in Hong Kong for future graving docks which are under the protection of our guns, their prospective value can scarcely be overestimated.

Whilst touching upon the important subject of dock accommodation, we may mention that this has largely increased within the past ten or twelve years. There are at present, at Aberdeen and Kowloon, the former being on the island of Hong Kong, and the latter upon the mainland opposite, graving docks of the following dimensions :—One of 350ft. by 80ft., with 18 1/2ft. over sills; one of 400ft. by 90ft., with 24 1/2ft. over sills ; and one of 500ft. by 86ft., with 29ft. over sills. Hence, ample accommodation exists for executing the repairs to a couple of ironclads or armoured cruisers of moderate size. This fact was taken advantage of by the French, in their recent naval war with Tonquin.

One regrettable condition obtains in regard to the position of the docks at Aberdeen. This place, which contains not only docks and building slips, but repairing sheds and steam machinery of recent type, lies on the south-west of the island, quite outside the harbour and its adjacent fortifications. Hence it is entirely open to attack from an enemy’s cruisers, and might be destroyed without the possibility of a shot being fired in its defence. This is a sad blot in the scheme of fortification which has been worked out for Hong Kong.

But to continue. Another essential adjunct to the completion of the fortress has been carried out within the past three or four years, out of the surplus £300,000 before alluded to. In so densely populated a position, fresh water is, of course, an essential element. The streams from which the island took its name, and which were used in early days for watering ships, rise beyond West Point, at a spot called Pok-fu-lun; but they are insufficient in volume, and at far too low a level to convey water to the town of Victoria. A proposal made by Mr. Rawlings, an architect, to dam up a valley below the signal station, was carried out; but the stream thus intercepted was found to be inadequate to keep the reservoirs full, and the upper portion of the town suffered from drought. Moreover, the establishment of villas right up to the Peak itself, the drainage of which ran into the valley, contaminated the water supply. Consequently, it was determined to conduct the water from a copious spring, which existed at a considerable elevation near Ty-tam-took, on the south of the island. A heading was driven right through the mountains of solid granite. It was 6ft. high, 4ft. wide, and two miles in length. This stupendous work, which is now completed, was accomplished by means of blasting operations with dynamite, and pneumatic drilling machines. It delivers water, without any accessory pumping, as high as Robinson-road, the highest in the town of Victoria. Thus, so far as regards an abundant supply of spring water, the town and anchorage are absolutely independent. The spring head is, however, outside the radius of defensive works, and consequently liable to the depredations of an enterprising foe. Blot No. 2 !

Lastly, we may mention that Hong Kong will always have a force available for manning its batteries under circumstances of actual warfare. Some years ago a strong volunteer contingent was established in the Colony, the germs of which are still extant, and a body of some 800 Sikh police, all drilled and disciplined soldiers, is constantly recruited from our Indian Possessions. A proportion of Royal Artillery, as a matter of course, forms part of the garrison at this station. To sum up, the condition of Hong Kong, so far as regards its military features, is highly satisfactory, and reflects great credit upon the efforts of the War Department, and upon Sir Pope Hennessy.