All officers and members of the Naval Brigade who can are requested to attend the funeral of the late Captain C.T. Mandeville, R.N., which will move from his late residence, St. Kilda, at 3 p.m. THIS DAY, the 4th. inst. Full uniform, with side arms; officers undress uniform and epaulettes. A steamer will leave the Ann Street Pier, Williamstown, at 1.45 p.m., and the Town Pier, Port Melbourne, at 2.15 p.m., and from thence will proceed and disembark at the St. Kilda Pier. Other branches of the Defence Force are also invited to attend.
July, 3, 1887. ROBERT FULLARTON,
Captain in Command V.N.F.
GENTLEMEN attending the funeral of the late Commander C.T. Mandeville, R.N., are requested to go by way of Barkly Street to Chaucer Street, where attendants
will appoint them their position.
ALF. AUG. SLEIGHT, Undertaker.
References -
Torpedo Report - Board appointed to enquire into the fatal accident to a
boat's crew of the Cerberus at Queenscliff on 5th. March, 1881,
on micro-film at the State Library of Victoria.
The Argus, Monday, 7th. March, 1881.
The Herald, Monday Evening, 7th. March, 1881.
The Age, Monday, 7th. March, 1881.
The Australasian, 14th. July, 1877.
The Age, 4th. July, 1887.
The Argus, 4th. July, 1887.
The Australasian, 9th. July, 1887.
Marriage Certificate - Colebrooke Thomas Mandeville and
Sophie Frederica Bailliere, 7th. September, 1882.
Death Certificate - Colebrooke Thomas Mandeville, Captain Royal Navy,
3rd. July, 1887.
Baptism - Colebrooke Thomas Ring Mandeville, 3rd. February, 1846,
http://www.familysearch.org
The following articles, from the daily newspapers published in Melbourne, contain many illuminating references which shed light onto the personality of Captain Colebrooke Thomas Ring Mandeville and his many and varied responsibilities during his years in the Royal Navy and the Victorian Naval Forces.
RESIGNATION OF CAPTAIN PANTER, R.N.,
AND COMMAND OF THE "CERBERUS" GIVEN TO
COMMANDER COLEBROOKE THOMAS MANDEVILLE.
"THE AUSTRALASIAN" - TOWN NEWS
14TH. JULY, 1877.
The resignation of Captain Panter, R.N., was accepted by the Treasurer on Monday, and the command of the Cerberus was given to Commander Thomas Colebrooke Mandeville, R.N., an officer who has recently arrived in the colony, and who is on the Imperial half-pay list. The Government believe that in Commander Mandeville they have secured an efficient officer, but at the same time they have made the appointment a temporary one, pending communication with the Home Government as to whether or not the Cerberus shall be directly officered from the Imperial navy under a system of periodical changes. This and other questions of policy with regard to the vessel still have to be disposed of, and it is with the understanding that no vested interests accrue that Commander Mandeville takes over the vessel.
He has seen seventeen years' service, having entered the navy in 1859. He was first in the Barracouta, on the West India station, and afterwards served in the Mediterranean, in the Gibraltar, 81 guns, and the Victoria 120 guns. Thence he went home, and passed through the gunnery course on board the Excellent. His next experience was in the Bristol frigate, under Commodore Hornby, and as first lieutenant of the Oberon, on the south-east coast of America. He then went through a final course of gunnery on board the Excellent, and was afterwards with the Wolverine on the African station. Here he was frequently detached from the ship, and while on independent duty took seven slavers as prizes. After a period of service as first lieutenant on the Daring, Commander Mandeville was promoted, and retired at his own request, and came out to Australia. All his time has been spent at sea, and he is only five months from his last ship. Commander Mandeville's papers were submitted to Captain Townsend, of the Nymphe.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN MANDEVILLE
"THE ARGUS" 4TH. JULY, 1887.
In our obituary columns appears an announcement of the death of Captain C. T. Mandeville, R.N. who for four or five years held the command of the Victorian Naval Forces. The deceased gentleman has for some time been residing at "Norval", Marine Parade, St. Kilda, overlooking the bay, and caught a cold whilst attending the levée on Jubilee Day, and that complaint was further aggravated by his being kept waiting for a cab after the fancy dress ball recently given by His Excellency the Governor and Lady Loch at Government house.
He died of congestion of the lungs at his residence yesterday. He entered the navy at the age of 14, and was serving as a midshipman on board H.M.S. Barracoota when she was lying off New Orleans when Admiral Farragut ran the blockade of the Mississippi during the American civil war. Mr. Mandeville was appointed a lieutenant on June 1, 1869, and spent some time on the West Coast of Africa, where the work of suppressing slavery was then being carried out. He was placed on the retired list of the navy as a commander on 14th. October, 1876, and shortly afterwards came to this colony on a visit to his brother, whilst the dispute which was then existing between Captain Panter and the Berry Government was at its height. On the retirement of Captain Panter in 1878 (sic.) from the command of the local naval forces in consequence of that dispute the vacant position was offered to Captain Mandeville by Mr. Berry, and accepted.
When the defence forces were reorganised about four years ago Captain Mandeville was superseded in the command of the naval fleet of this colony by Captain Thomas, R.N., who still holds that office. Some months afterwards the deceased gentleman was appointed inspector of fisheries, a position which he held at the time of his death. During 1880, whilst experimenting at his residence with the late Gunner Groves with some explosive material he was severely injured about the feet, and had ever since walked slightly lame. A few years ago he married the widow of Mr. F. F. Bailliere, that gentleman having been killed in the Jolimont railway accident. Captain Mandeville was at the time of his demise 40 years of age. His remains will be interred in the St. Kilda Cemetery this afternoon with full naval honours.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN MANDEVILLE
"THE AGE" 4TH. JULY, 1887.
Captain Colebrooke Thomas Mandeville, R.N., inspector of fisheries, and formerly commander of the Victorian naval forces, died at his residence, Marine Parade, St. Kilda, at half-past 3 o'clock yesterday morning, after a short illness, at the early age of 40 years. The deceased officer caught a severe cold about ten days ago, it is believed, while waiting for his carriage after his Excellency the Governor's levée on the 21st. June. Acute symptoms developing themselves, Dr. Rankin, his usual medical attendant, was called in, and subsequently Dr. Harricks, but all efforts were unavailing to arrest the severe congestion of the lungs which supervened, and after four days' illness Captain Mandeville succumbed, passing away without a struggle.
His remains will be interred with naval honors this day at the St. Kilda Cemetery, the funeral leaving the house at 3 p.m. Military as well as naval officers are invited to attend. Captain Mandeville joined the British navy at the early age of 14, was gazetted lieutenant 1st. June, 1861, and retired with the rank of commander in October, 1876. He saw several years' service with the African squadron, employed in the suppression of the slave trade.
In 1878, being at that time on a visit to his brother, now resident in Tasmania, whom he proposed to join on a squatting station, he was invited by the Berry administration to accept the post of commandant of the naval forces, then vacant by the retirement of Captain Panter. He held this appointment until superseded by the present naval commandant, Captain Thomas, in 1884, when he was appointed inspector of fisheries, the duties of which, although without any special previous training, he discharged with ability and assiduity, displaying great aptitude in mastering both ichthyology and the details of sea fishing.
During his term of service as commandant he was severely wounded in the foot by the accidental bursting of an explosive at Williamstown and never quite recovered the use of the injured member. He leaves a widow and stepchildren, but no issue of his marriage, which was contracted in this country.
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE.
17TH. JUNE, 1878.
Captain Mandeville has applied for permission to take the Cerberus outside the Rip, and then on returning he proposes to run the gauntlet of the defence works at the Heads, the batteries to be fully manned, and to endeavour to hit the vessel.
The proposition is a startling one, and Mr. Berry was not at first disposed to sanction it, but since then Captain Mandeville has seen the hon. Gentleman, and has overcome his scruples, and the sensational event is likely to come off within the next fortnight. The object Captain Mandeville has in view is to test the value of the works at the Heads, and he points out that this can be done by using the 80 lb. guns, and according to calculation their shot ought not to penetrate the 8 in. iron plating of the Cerberus. The vessel will be sunk to her proper fighting level, and will be stripped for action, and therefore no serious damage is anticipated from the 80-pounders even if she is hit, but Captain Mandeville is of opinion that she will not be touched.
On the other hand, the 80-pounders are magnificent guns, noted for accuracy of range, and altogether are finer weapons than a comparatively few years ago were to be found in fortifications anywhere. Only the other day a rock outside of Point Nepean, and 3700 yards distant, was taken as a target, and was hit the second shot. The chance the Cerberus has is that she is a moving and not a stationary object, and consequently between her and the targets ordinarily used there is all the difference between a pot shot and a shot at a bird on the wing. The 12 ton guns (300-pounders), which have been lately placed in position near the lower lighthouse, are not to be fired, because if they did strike the vessel they might either sink, disable, or seriously cripple her, guns of these dimensions having been proved to have a penetrating power sufficient to pierce 8 ½ in. of iron plating at a distance of 1,000 yards
However, the 80-pounders are the readier to handle, and if they do not hit, it will be a fair inference that the 300-pounders would not be more fortunate. Under this arrangement the Cerberus will have to face the fire of the four 80-pounders, and such of the 80-pounders as will be mounted at the time on Point Nepean, where men are still working putting the guns in position. Recent experience, it may be mentioned, has shown that the weak point of a vessel of the Cerberus type is their decks, which are comparatively weak, and it is worthy of note that both the batteries which will fire on the Cerberus are placed at a commanding elevation. Whether this point has been duly considered we are not aware. Captain Mandeville proposes to give the batteries every chance, and will come through the passage in open daylight at medium speed, while an enemy would probably attempt a dash in the gloom of early morning or of evening, with a strong tide and under a full head of steam.
Neither, as a matter of course, will he use his own 400-pounder guns, with which he is tolerably confident he could silence the batteries in a very brief period. The question how far it is possible to run a gauntlet when the sea passage is not obstructed by torpedoes is an open one and Captain Mandeville takes the sailor's view of the matter, which is that a dozen guns will never stop a dashing officer from exchanging shots with them in an attempt to force the entrance.
Colonel Anderson has been communicated with and directed to tell off his best men to man the batteries, and the Cerberus will be got ready during the ensuing week, or the week afterwards.
There would seem to be one objection, which may not have occurred to Captain Mandeville and the Chief Secretary in this matter, and that is, that in case of a fatal accident on board the Cerberus in consequence of the firing, the artillery man who fired the shot would be liable to a charge of manslaughter.
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE
18TH. JUNE, 1878.
A feeling of rivalry between the Engineering service and the Naval service appears to be at the bottom of the proposal that the Cerberus should run the gauntlet of the Heads. In a report furnished to the Treasurer by Lieutenant-Colonel Scratchley, R.E., that officer contends in effect that there is nothing like batteries, and that though as the Cerberus is here it is well to utilize her, yet that more forts would have been better than the monitor. Captain Mandeville, with this report before him resents what he considers an implied slur upon the ironclad which he commands, and which he considers to be of more value than many forts, and as a practical reply he offers to run the Cerberus within a mile of the shore, and allow the artillerymen to practise at her "with smooth bore guns of small calibre". "This" writes Captain Mandeville "will prove the value or otherwise of elaborate forts," and, we suppose, the superiority of the Cerberus to Lieutenant-Colonel Scratchley's batteries.
The experiment is not so foolhardy as it appeared to be when it was understood that the rifled ordnance in position at the heads was to be employed, but still its utility must be doubted. We cannot agree at all in opinion with Captain Mandeville that the escape of the Cerberus from being hit - if she did escape - would prove the value or otherwise of elaborate forts. All that it would prove would be that ships can run through a passage under fire, or can dash by a battery without stopping to engage it, and of this circumstance there is not much doubt. It has often been done ere now. But it is a mistake to suppose that the works at the Heads are there for the sole purpose of preventing ships forcing the entrance. It is fully recognized in the defence scheme of Sir Wm. Jervois that a dashing naval officer would never be stopped by a few guns planted on the banks of a channel which in its narrowest part is a mile and a half wide, and through which the tide runs with a velocity which soon sweeps a vessel out of range, and which at the same time forbids the use of torpedo obstructions.
Where Sir Wm. Jervois proposes to stop the enemy is at the shoals, some distance inside the Heads. Here are the entrances of the channels, and these narrow passages through which a ship must go to reach Melbourne, he would obstruct with torpedoes, and command by forts. The theory is that if hostile vessels attempted to run past the forts to get to Hobson's Bay they would be destroyed by the torpedoes, and if they stopped to drag for or to explode the torpedoes, they would be sunk by the ordnance in the forts, which would be so heavy as to pierce any ironclad.
But while making his stand at the channels, Sir Wm. Jervois pointed out with much force that it would be folly to neglect the Heads, for in that case an enemy could occupy the splendid anchorage at Queenscliff, and without any risk (except from the Cerberus) could effect repairs or could blockade the port. The enemy could lie in smooth water all the year round, and could capture or destroy everything which attempted to come in or to go out. Even a week's occupancy of the Queenscliff harbour would be disastrous, and Sir Wm. Jervois provides that the enemy shall not have a day's rest without fighting for it.
All the batteries, to a greater or less extent sweep the water space inside Points Lonsdale and Nepean, and the upper batteries dominate the lower harbour. A vessel could not remain there until the guns were silenced, and if she dashed past and went on, she would come under the range of the forts. At the same time, as the guns are in position at the Heads, they are available for use against an enemy as he comes in, and Sir Wm. Jervois is of opinion that a foe would not venture to run the gauntlet, knowing that if he got past he would be stopped by the torpedoes, and must engage the forts, and that if he was crippled and attempted to retreat, the Queenscliff guns would have a fair chance of completing his ruin. The report presented by Sir Wm. Jervois speaks for itself on this subject :-
"The forts defending the channels through the shoals will necessarily be too far distant from the anchorage to prevent an enemy's ships occupying the outer harbour, and so closing Port Phillip both against the egress and ingress of trading and other vessels. A battery of powerful guns should therefore be placed at Queenscliff and another at Point Nepean, to bear upon hostile ships, … … … and in conjunction with the Cerberus, to prevent an enemy occupying the outer anchorage, … … … An enemy knowing that access to Melbourne and Hobson's Bay was absolutely barred by defences at the shoals would not risk the running of the gauntlet between the fire of the Cerberus and the outer works which I propose".
Captain Mandeville's scheme, it will be seen therefore, would prove nothing against our land defences, even if everything happened as he anticipates. His success in steaming past the batteries without being hit would simply be evidence that ships cannot be detained by artillery fire in an unobstructed channel, and upon that point evidence is not necessary. The fact has been so well proved by practical experience that it requires no further demonstration. Thus, in the American war no place could have had more advantage for stopping the passage of hostile vessels than Vicksburg possessed situated as that fortress was on a commanding eminence at an abrupt bend of the Mississippi, and well supplied as it was with the munitions of war. The batteries were numerous and formidable, and in many instances were trained upon marked and measured spots, and yet it is a matter of history how wooden vessels continually ran the gauntlet. The Mobile Heads were infinitely better armed in comparison with the ships of that day than Port Phillip Heads are ever likely to be in comparison with the ships of the present period, but Admiral Farragut took his fleet through.
On the other hand, the attack on Fort Sumpter is held by Lieutenant-Colonel Owen, in his work on Modern Artillery, to establish the principle that "no fleet can force a passage if kept under the fire of heavy batteries by properly constructed obstructions," and this is the situation which we propose to establish at the shallows.
Captain Mandeville's success in running past guns at Queenscliff would not, therefore, demonstrate the inutility of the batteries. They are there for another object than merely to prevent running past, a proceeding which they render hazardous, but which they do not prevent. Captain Mandeville would simply give the artillerymen a little practice at a moving object, and we would submit that the Cerberus is too valuable an object to be converted into a target, even for smooth-bore guns. More accidents occur in the hunting-field from "fooling" than from following the hounds, and it is quite possible that a turret might be injured or a screw broken by some contingency in this smooth-bore practice which would not occur in actual warfare, and the colony might have cause to regret a misfortune which laid up the Cerberus when the issues of peace and war are still trembling in the balance. We agree with Captain Mandeville in believing that the batteries at the Heads would not alone guarantee us against attack. The more necessary is it to take care of the Cerberus, which, until the works at the shallows are completed, is our real means of defence. If it be necessary to practise the artillerymen at floating targets, there are plenty of old lighters which can be turned adrift under canvas, or can be towed in at a respectable distance by the ironclad; and if, for some occult reason, a Cerberus experiment is to be made, at least let the event be postponed until the "piping times of peace" return once more.
THE BATTERIES V. THE CERBERUS
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE.
19TH. JUNE, 1878.
Page 7.
To The Editor of "The Argus".
Sir, - Whilst allowing that Captain Mandeville shows the greatest pluck in his proposal to bring the Cerberus through the Heads under fire of the 80 pounders, might I call attention to the fact that if this idea is carried out we have everything to lose and nothing to gain.
If the Cerberus should be seriously damaged, or even sunk, we cover ourselves with ridicule by proving the weakness of the great arm of defence by sea that we rely upon in case of invasion. Should, however, the Cerberus pass the ordeal safely (as she probably would), we make ourselves none the less ridiculous by proving the uselessness of one of our means of defence by land and what is even more to the point, we hold out a direct premium to hostile fleets to attempt to pass the Heads.
The very singularity of the experiment would cause it to be reported all over the world, and were it not so, we may depend upon the result being faithfully reported to all foreign powers who have any cynical interest in our welfare. An enemy would be emboldened to attempt the passage, for he would naturally reason that if the vessel passing through in broad daylight, and at a moderate speed, was not materially injured, how much safer it would be for him when trying it in the early morning, steaming more rapidly, and with perhaps a strong tide to help him.
Suppose in addition to all this that your analogy about shooting at a flying bird proves correct, and that not a single shot should strike the ship. Why, Sir, the colony and its artillerymen would be food for laughter to the other colonies for years, and to every military man throughout the world who might hear of the affair.
It is wholly to our advantage to leave the matter in uncertainty unless we can try it on other people's ships, and therefore I trust the Government collectively will veto this experiment. Yours, &c.
Ballarat 17 June. JAMES CAMPBELL.
THE CERBERUS AND THE BATTERIES
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE.
18TH. JUNE, 1878.
Page 6.
To The Editor of "The Argus".
Sir, - I admire pluck, and this proposal of the Government to bring the Cerberus through the Heads under fire from the batteries looks plucky.
But, Sir, if it be done, let it be done fair and square, and no sham about it. Let some of the victims of Black Wednesday man the guns ashore, and let the Ministry show their willingness to die for the country they have so well lived on by manning the steamer. We should then see some sport, and if the vessel went to the bottom its loss would be repaid over and over again by the real retrenchment which would ensue in the expenditure of the country.
By charging for admittance to anywhere within five miles of Queenscliff, and by running cheap trains from all parts of the country, the show could be made an immense success.
I am, &c.
A. WARRIOR June 17.
Footnote : "Black Wednesday" referred to above was the day when many employees who had been in the Government service for 20 years, or more, were dispensed with without any warning.
BAPTISM OF FIRE
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE,
WEDNESDAY 19TH. JUNE, 1878.
An interview between Captain Mandeville and the Treasurer took place yesterday, and we understand that the proposed "baptism of fire" for the Cerberus has been postponed sine die.
(Indefinitely adjourned). Captain Mandeville is confident that life would not be imperilled by the experiment, but both he and Mr. Berry agreed that the trial would not be of sufficient importance in its results to justify its being carried out in opposition to the strong feeling which has been expressed against it.
THE TORPEDO CORPS
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE.
6TH. AUGUST, 1878.
Page 7.
When the Minister of War some few weeks since so summarily handed over to Captain Mandeville, the senior naval officer, all the stores and appliances belonging to the Torpedo Corps, the reason assigned was that the work more properly belonged to the naval branch of the service, and that it could be done more cheaply by the naval than the military department. Both statements are open to criticism.
In the first place it may be stated that torpedoes are divided into two classes, offensive and defensive. The offensive torpedoes comprise outriggers, Harvey's, the Whitehead, and one of somewhat similar construction, and are usually worked by men belonging to the Royal Navy, and especially trained for the purpose. To this branch of the service are also added systems for forming temporary torpedoes, using ships' stores for the purpose. Such weapons are very useful in going into a strange harbour occupied by an enemy, while a powerful auxiliary for the defence of a ship might be obtained by adopting such a system of temporary torpedoes. Defensive torpedoes - and these are what we have more particularly to deal with - are now called submarine mines (the word torpedo being technically applied only to offensive engines), and are worked and maintained solely by the officers and men of the military branch of the service.
These are selected chiefly from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery, and from those who show special qualifications for the nature of the work to be performed. As showing how little the Imperial authorities rely upon the naval branch for any knowledge of submarine mines, it may be said that there was only one naval officer on the committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the value of these weapons for harbour defence.
The committee consisted of the following officers : - Colonel Stotherd, R. E. (chairman); Major-General Askwith, R. A.; Major Malcolm, R. E.; Captain Armstrong, R. E.; Lieutenant Bucknill, R. E.; Lieutenant Hall, R. N.; and F. R. Abel, Esq., F. R. S., Chemist to the War Department. Still another instance comes more recently from England, showing how little the naval branch is mixed up with torpedo defences. In a recent home paper it is stated that a Volunteer Torpedo Corps - the first one in England - has just been started. It is composed of coast-guardmen and others. The only ones who are excluded from it are naval men, not from incapacity but from the fact that in time of war seamen would be wanted for their proper work, and could not, therefore, be spared for torpedo work, and it would then be too late to train a fresh body of men for the purpose.
But still more to the point is the following extract from Lieutenant-Colonel Stotherd's "Notes on Defences by Submarine Mines." He says, "All stores should be under the charge of one officer, who is also instructor in submarine mining. There is a great advantage in this arrangement, as everything required is at once procurable. The stores are under the charge of a competent officer who is responsible for their being always in a serviceable condition, and who, from the tests employed, and from the actual use made of the stores for instructional purposes, is able to say with confidence whether they are efficient in themselves, and in good working order, and to suggest improvements which may occur to him in actual practice. Apart from their original instruction at the school of military engineering at Chatham, it would be necessary to practise the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men employed at frequent intervals, so as to keep them efficient for service, and the necessity for putting an officer in charge of the stores and apparatus who is thoroughly acquainted with their construction and use is so obvious as to need no comment.
The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men employed in working any system of submarine mines must be thoroughly instructed in electricity and further, be well up in telegraphy, visual signalling, and the use and management of boats and mooring apparatus. Each detachment for work with a system of submarine mines should consist of nine thoroughly instructed non-commissioned officers and men. This may be considered the unit, and one or more detachments would be required, according to the extent of the work to be performed. These should always be under the charge of an officer, even if only one detachment is required. Every non-commissioned officer employed on submarine mining service should be capable of making all the tests and taking entire charge of the testing-room, in addition to the knowledge of the other duties. The men employed should be selected from those trades and professions which would be most useful in connexion with the apparatus used for carrying on a system of defence of this nature. The nine men mentioned are required for the actual work. Seamen labourers would of course be required for the ordinary duties."
The two following extracts from War Office reports also show that the naval branch has nothing to do with submarine mines. "The officials in charge of observing and firing stations should have undergone a thorough training in all operations connected with the duties assigned to them, and have instruction in the nature and action of the various electrical arrangements employed to enable them to perform readily all manipulations connected with them and their maintenance in proper order.
It is absolutely necessary that observers should be vigilant, trustworthy, and well trained. It is perfectly obvious that a special training must be required by those who are to be entrusted with the preparation, arrangement, and explosion of submarine mines. Although the individual operations are not of a very complicated character, it is most essential to their proper performance under all circumstances that those who are to conduct them should not only merely have a thorough acquaintance with and a mechanical experience in the necessary manipulations, but that they should possess a knowledge of the principles upon which the several arrangements and operations are based."
Another War Office report contains the following : - "Working parties of submarine miners are employed in the laying and testing of submarine mines. Special steamers have been built by Messrs. Dudgeon, of Millwall, for the purpose of laying the mines, &c, for the War Office department, all the steamers borrowed from the Admiralty having been returned."
From these official documents it is therefore quite plain that it is impossible for untrained men to do the work without danger, and it is absurd to suppose that the crew of the Cerberus can carry on the work as proposed by Captain Mandeville. Great stress is laid by Colonel Stotherd on the necessity of the officers and men of a corps dealing with these weapons being thoroughly instructed in electricity, telegraphy and visual signalling. Any unbiassed persons would perfectly agree with him, were they to examine some of the complicated mechanism now being manufactured by Messrs. Josephs Bros of Swanston street, for the Governments of Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, in connexion with their scheme of defence by means of submarine mines. The Victorian Torpedo Corps - which, by the way, was the first corps of its kind ever established - has now been in existence for about seven years and a half, and under the command of Major Couchman, and subsequently Major Ellery, has reached a stage of perfection not to be excelled any where, at a very small cost to the Government, their grant having only been about £70 per annum for uniforms. The members are all practised electricians or professional surveyors, and having had so long an experience of their work, they are now quite competent to perform anything required in connexion with the defence of Hobson's Bay by means of submarine mines, and there can be no doubt that they would perform the work far more satisfactorily than a lot of seamen not trained to the work, and under the command of Captain Mandeville. There is another aspect in which to look at the proposal of the Government, and which makes it appear even more absurd. These submarine mines, if required to prevent an enemy entering the bay, will have to be fired from the shore, and at the time when Captain Mandeville, his officers, and men may be supposed to be doing their best on board their ships to retard the progress of the enemy's squadron.
Unless Captain Mandeville is like Sir Boyle Roche's bird, and can be in two places at once, it is difficult to understand how he can desire to have such extra responsibility thrust upon him.
The other reason assigned for the nominal disbandment of the torpedo corps, and the transference of the stores, &c. to the naval branch, was that the service would be performed more cheaply by Captain Mandeville, but an examination of the estimates originally prepared by the volunteer authorities for this particular service, and Captain Mandeville's estimate, as it appears on the annual Estimates now before Parliament, scarcely bear out the statement. The following is the estimate of the annual cost of the torpedo corps, as prepared by the volunteer authorities : -
Permanent -
1 electric cable engineer and overseer £200 . 0 . 0
1 ship's carpenter and engine-driver £144 . 0 . 0
4 artisan tailors at 50s. per week £522 . 0 . 0
Total, 6 permanent men £866 . 0 . 0
Volunteer department -
1 director of torpedo works and officer commanding corps £150 . 0 . 0
4 officers, 2 at £50 and 2 at £40 180 . 0 . 0
4 non-commissioned officers at £20 80 . 0 . 0
20 operators at £16 320 . 0 . 0
Uniforms £75 . 0 . 0
£1,671 . 0 . 0
This would be the total cost per annum for 35 men, consisting of electricians, surveyors, mechanical and civil engineers, all thoroughly trained to harbour torpedo work. Against that amount must be placed Captain Mandeville's figures as appearing on the Estimates.
They are as follows : -
1 torpedo engineer (to be obtained from England) £300 . 0 . 0
1 skilled mechanical engineer £180 . 0 . 0
1 cooper £150 . 0 . 0
1 leading stoker £137 . 0 . 0
1 electrical officer £50 . 0 . 0
6 electricians £96 . 0 . 0
Uniforms £25 . 0 . 0
£938 . 0 . 0
In addition to these, however, are the following men, who have been placed on board the torpedo hulk
Deborah, and must therefore be charged to that branch of the service : -
1 gunner, at 19s. per day £346 . 15 . 0
2 petty officers, at 7d. 6d. per day 273 . 15 . 0
6 able seamen, at 5s. per day 547 . 10 . 0
£1,168 . 0 . 0
Total £2,106 . 0 . 0
It appears, therefore, that the work could be properly done by 35 fully-trained professional men for £1,671 per annum, while Captain Mandeville is to do it with 20 untrained men at a cost of £2,106 per annum. In addition to this, it is proposed to send home for a torpedo engineer at a salary of £300 per annum.
It is doubtful, however, if such an officer could be obtained, and certainly not at that figure, when the two gunners who were recently brought out from England are receiving pay at the rate of £346 . 15s. per annum. As another specimen of the cheap manner in which Captain Mandeville goes to work, it may be stated that when the Torpedo Corps had the hulk Deborah as a store-ship, she was in charge of a practical cable engineer with a couple of working men under him.
They have been discharged and replaced by Captain Mandeville with one officer, two petty officers, and six able seamen at a considerably increased cost. These facts speak for themselves.
OUR NAVAL DEFENCES
"THE ARGUS" MELBOURNE
13TH. MAY, 1878.
While the military authorities have been pushing forward the work of constructing the new batteries at Queenscliff and Point Nepean, Captain Mandeville, the senior naval officer, has been putting the three vessels which constitute the Victorian navy into proper working order, so that they may be of some service in the event of an enemy's squadron attacking the port. As is well known, we have three war vessels in the colony, viz., the Cerberus, the Victoria, and the Nelson, and some statement of their present condition will no doubt be of interest.
The turret ship Cerberus, with her four 18-ton guns (400 pounders), is now in a thoroughly efficient state. The engines, including those for working the turrets, the steering gear, and the capstan are in perfect order. The turrets revolve noiselessly and swiftly, making a complete revolution in 39 seconds. A small starboard after boiler was recently found to be somewhat defective, but this has been repaired, and with the remaining boilers are now in good condition. Captain Mandeville found that the "conning" tower - that is the tower from which the commanding officer fights the ship - was very much confined, and he has had that defect remedied by having a cupola fitted to it. This can be raised or lowered at pleasure by means of screws.
Hitherto, there has been no place aloft from which a "look-out" could be kept, but Captain Mandeville has obtained permission from the Government to step an iron mast, with a circular "top," or platform. On this will be placed a Gatling gun, which has been ordered from England, and the electric light will also be shown from this "top" at night time for torpedo work. This mast if fitted with a derrick will be found useful in many ways. With reference to torpedo work, the Government have granted money for carrying out a scheme for protecting the ship from torpedo attack, and have also ordered a Thorneycroft torpedo launch, fitted with all the latest improvements, from England. In the meantime the ship is being supplied with all the usual torpedo stores, and a steam-launch and steam-cutter are being fitted for spar torpedoes. The ship's company is certainly a very fine one, none being taken but stout, well-built men. Many of the able seamen have been chief petty officers, petty officers and seamen gunners in the Royal Navy, and a number of them hold second mates' certificates in the merchant navy.
Although the Victoria is an old vessel she will be of use as a despatch vessel for some years longer. She has been recently well strengthened so as to enable her to carry a 64-pounder rifled gun forward, and she has also four 12-pounder howitzers on her quarter-deck. She will be used for laying torpedoes, and afterwards covering them in case of any boats attempting to remove or destroy them. Her crew is composed almost entirely of old men-of-war's men.
The old line of battle ship Nelson is now in course of conversion into a frigate, and the work is proceeding with all possible despatch under the supervision of Captain Mandeville and his officers. The Nelson is a very powerfully-built vessel, and such ships are not built in the present days. Apparently the shipbuilders cannot now spare the time that was given in the olden days to the construction of ships of war, nor have they now the large amount of properly-seasoned oak required for the work.
It was no uncommon thing in the last century for a line of battleship to be 20 years building, so that the wood used became thoroughly seasoned, but now the demand is so great that the builders are often obliged to use unseasoned timber. As showing the great strength of the Nelson, it may be stated that her sides are in all parts 2ft. thick, of well seasoned oak, while in some places, such as spelf pieces, waterways, &c., the thickness is from 3ft. to 4ft. When the shipwrights were set to work at her to cut her down, she opened up quite equal to expectation; but it is a curious fact that it was found that the wood the ship was originally built of, some 50 years ago, was as sound as when it was first used, while the wood put into her about 12 years ago, before she left England, was so rotten that it crumbled away under the hammer; in fact, it appeared as if the whole of the stern - from a few feet above the waterline - was only held together by a mass of bolts, many of the old copper bolts having been bored and other bolts driven through them.
The dockyard authorities at home evidently know that the stern was patched up with unsound wood, for before leaving England she was redocked and her stern strengthened. It was evident before the cutting down was commenced that the stern would have to be removed if the vessel was to be of any use at all, and the Government, therefore, very wisely instructed Captain Mandeville to make the Nelson an efficient vessel while the workmen were at her. The estimated cost of the work was £15,000, and as no vessel of any use outside the Heads could be purchased for that sum the amount will be very wisely spent. A gunboat for outside work would cost £25,000. With the exception of a few newly raised men, who are going through their training on board the Cerberus, the whole of the Cerberus officers and crew have been working on board the Nelson for some weeks past, first in removing the heavy timbers and beams of the upper deck and poop, and afterwards in dismantling the ship and stripping her masts and yards. The fore and main masts (including the "tops") weighed about 20 tons each, and the bowsprit about 15 tons. It was very creditable to the officers that the work of hoisting these great weights out and in again was performed without the slightest accident occurring.
To make the spars suitable for the Nelson when transformed into a frigate, it was found necessary to cut 14ft. off the heel of the masts and 3ft. off the head, while 8 ft. were cut off the heel of the bowsprit. The work has been much delayed, owing to the difficulty experienced in getting suitable timber, but the ship will probably be docked next week. The old rigging was, fo<
