A MOSQUITO FLEET.
During the past few days (says the Auckland Star), at the request of his Excellency the Governor, the Marine Department has prepared alist o£stearners m the colony under 30 tons measurement, with their speed, port, etc., and other particulars regarding them. It is the intention of the defence authorities, immediately on the breaking out of hostilities to lneiamorphose. this steamer " mosquito fleet " into torpedo boats. Some will be really armed with spars and torpedoe3, while others will be t shams. Regulations are now being drafted m Wellington for the management ot these launches and the part that they will play m the harbor defences. Immediately on the signalling of a cruiser, every vessel will get up steam* and should the land defence he passed the stranger will find himself oh all sides assailed by torpedo boats. The sham boats will draw the fire from the genuine " hull smashers," and it is belteved that any hostile vessels coming into the principal harbors of the colony will meet with a very warm reception from the mosquito fleet, quite apart from all other methods of defence.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 126, 2 May 1885, Page 2
Word Count
186A MOSQUITO FLEET. Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 126, 2 May 1885, Page 2
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