HARBOR DEFENCES IN VICTORIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5319, 13 April 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

HARBOR DEFENCES IN VICTORIA.

The defence’of the channels near the Melbourne Heads has (says the ’Argus) for some time past been engaging the attention' of the volunteer authorities, and in conjunction with Captain . Mandeville a scheme of defence by means of torpedoes has been finally decided upon, and as the manufacture of torpedoes is being rapidly proceeded with, it is expected that in a very short time the channels will be completely blocked against the entrance of ah opposing force.. In consequence of no provision having been made for the erection of tho two forts recommended by Sir-William Jervois, and also from the difficulty in obtaining the large amount of cable required, the scheme of torpedo defence recommended by that officer has had to be considerably modified. It is proposed to close, when necessary, the mouth of the West Channel by means of block ships' suuk.iu the entrance, and this will leave only the South Channel to be defended by torpedoes. The mouth of this channel will also be left open, owing to the large amount of cable that would be required, and also the number of torpedoes necessary. Having made a careful, survey of the locality, Captain Ellery has decided that the most suitable spot in the ■ channel for - laying down torpedoes is ' the narrow portion near the little fishing village of Eosebud, just beyond Eromaua. The channel here is about two miles wide, but owing to the shallowness of the water on either side only about a mile - and a half Will have to be laid with torpedoes. A contract has been taken for the construction of 100 iron torpedo cases, calculated to contain 1001 b. of gun cotton, and 60 of these have been already delivered by the contractors. Captain Ellery proposes at present to lay down two lines of these machines, the torpedoes in each line being placed en echelon, so that in the event of a small vessel passing uninjured through the first.line it could not fail to come in contact with the second line. The torpedoes in each line will be placed about 50 yards apart, but if it is found possible to obtain more cable they will be placed even further apart, and a third line of them laid down. This would perhaps be the best course to adopt, as recent experiments at Home have shown that the explosion of a 100-lb. torpedo is liable to derange others at a distance of 200 ft. The Cerberus will of course defend the entrance to tho South Channel, her object being to force an attacking ship or squadron over under the fire of the batteries at Queensoliffe. The Nelson will act as a guard-ship in Tear of the lines of torpedoes, in order to repel any boat attack or attempt to remove the torpedoes. - The Torpedo and Signal Corps being desirous of having some practice in the laying of torpedoes, have applied to the authorities for - leave to have a camp at this place during the Easter holidays, and their application has been- favorably entertained.' The commanding officer of the corps is now making arrangements for the hire of a small steamer -and-a couple of‘launches to carry on the work with, and it is intended during the four or-five days the corps, are down there to take the opportunity of testing several new infernal machines. ‘ . •

AlthoughyCO of the new torpedo cases have been delivered, they hhvo not yet been filled, but this work will be carried out very shortly. The Government have handed over to the corps the hulk Debor’ah at the mouth of the river, and as soon as she has been cleaned, fumigated, and renovated, the corps will make her their headquarters for drill purposes, and also as a store ship for the present, but Oapt. Ellery is desirous of obtaining from the Lands Department a small piece of waste land near the mouth of the river bn which to erect sheds in which , the! torpedoes could be filled and stored against; the time when they might be required.' ’