COASTAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 7

COASTAL DEFENCE.

UTILITY OF YACHTS: A SYDNEY VIEW. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS' ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT :' , . SycJnoy, April 30. The " Sydney Morning Herald " says the New Zoaland proposal to encourage the building of seagoing yachts, with a view to their use for.'coastal defence' purposes, is generally, regarded in -local ,naval circles as .having more: humour than utility. '. Commander. Browhlow, tho State Naval Commandant, says:—Looking at the proposal as it .appears in tho paper, and not being .in possession 1 of-further: data; it certainly seems to 'mo" impracticable. ••"•'As' far as;defence is concerned, auxiliary vessels with a speed of fivo miles aro of . no use whatever for purposes of coastal defence, and even boats built for racing would be of no uso." " The only vessels that could bo used for' purposes of defease in this rcwect would be up-to-dita destroyers, or vessels of tho scout class. The Now Zealand sugeestion is oyidently made with a view co-operation in time of war between the Commonwealth. and the Dominion; but a proper wireless.tolcgraph Bystcm would bo of more benefit than any combination of yacht clubs to provide vessels." / | ;' ••,"•. '• : . AN AUCKLAND. SUGGESTION. The proposal referred;to,'was made in Auckland in November last, 'and doos not appoar to have been seriously taken up in New' Zoaland. Apparently it.'emanated:from Captain A. Whitney, who, speaking., at., a meeting of' the Nortjy Shore Yacht Club, urged that'there would be ' vory groat interest. ■; thrown into Auckland yachting—in. fact',- intercolonial yachting—were, the abilities of the numerous able-bodied, and "skilled • yachtsmen,utilised! in iiaval' coast' 'do-' ifeuco. " Mr.' Alfred. ' i 'so ; long commodore' of the Sydney Yacht Squadron; had' the .matter in. hand in Australia,- said tho speaker, and it was anticipated tho Governments •would offer very substantial prizes, and; ,no doubt,. that others would bo' • given by • lovers of tho sea. Whitney offorod, for presentation- by the Royal New Zealand Yaoht Club, three medals (value .£ls) for first, second, and , third prizes, to. be .given to the winners of an ocean race between. Sydney. and, Auckland in. 1909; tho race' to be open to' all auxiliary yachts, i.e., launches or yachts fitted with sail-, and, motor engines, electric, or, steam engines: the minimum to be three starters and no •handicaps.