GUNBOATS' FOR COAST DEFENCE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2627, 9 June 1877, Page 4

GUNBOATS' FOR COAST DEFENCE.

A letter from London appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald recently, suggesting that the Australian Colonies should follow the example of China and Japan in procuring heavily-armed gunboats for coast and harbour defence. Each would carry 38-ton gun, throwing a plate-piercing shot of SOOlbs., would be capable of steaming at ten knots, and would require.a full crew of 30 men only. Four would cost about £130,000; and three might be stationed at Sydney, and one at Newcastle. The question of colonial defences is a large and complex one. Its difficulty depends in no slight degree upon the probable unwillingness of the colonists to incnr the large outlay necessary to the execution of any scheme that would carry the promise of efficiency. And, although we are in a fair way to obtain the most trustworthy advice upon.it, the point of doubt is, whether there will be a readiness to give it effect. But, in the meanwhile, the suggestion about the gunboats is worthy of consideration. Unless we can depend upon the Imperial Government to establish an efficient nautical patrol upon the. waters bordering upon our coasts, a great deal may be said to show that it would b.e wise to establish or provide for one ourselves. We should then have an outer line of defence, which would have to be broken through before the strength of our fortifications or torpedo system could be tested.—Sydney Mail.