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Lyttelton Times, Volume L, Issue 5535, 18 November 1878, Page 2

In connection with tho subject of harbour defence it seems that Colonel Whitmore has either been very much misunderstood or there arc people who have a very small comprehension of whot a bombardment moans. Referring to the possibility of a Russian privateer firing a few shells into any of our ports, Colonel Whitmore was at pains to explain that this would iu no sense bo a bombardment. Ho pointed out tho extreme improbability of such a vessel firing upon a town, because its armament was certain not to consist of more than, at most, two heavy guns, and in all likelihood of but a single one. Even if it were possible to spare tho ammunition necessary to fire incessantly, witli that one gun upon a town, tho effect would not bo that produced by a bombardment, and after tho first panic subsided tho inhabitants would, in Colonel Whitmore’s opinion; soon turn their attention to measures of retaliation. Ho may bo right or wrong in supposing that a population consisting of thousands of persons, many of wham are trained to tho use of arms, with the assistance of all Hie steamers and boats at the port, would find no difficulty, and no unreasonable amount of danger, in boarding sucli u privateer; but it must bo borne iu mind that such a vessel would not bo armed for resistance at close quarters, and that its complement of men would bo exceedingly small. What Colonel Whitmore clearly pointed out was that it was most unlikely that «uch vessels would coma Into our harbours at all. If they did by any accident, it would bo not to molest tho town so much as to roflt, rovictual, or re-coal, and that they would necessarily endeavour to carry out their objects os quietly and as rapidly as possible. To irritate the people by firing shots at intervals into tho town could not assist thorn, and might drive the . inhabitants to make u*o of their great superiority of force at close quarters. That, if attempted, tbie would bo probably iuooum-

f ul, is Colonel Whitmore’s opinion, but he has never said, nor lias any remark of his led to the conclusion, that ho or anybody suppose* that a rc(tlfm*u-of-war adequately armed and manned could bo taken in this manner, unless il was of a class no mure powerful than a privateer- A real bombardment, of which it could bo said that “ showers of bombs wore rained upon Urn town,’* would, bo a very different affair, and could only come to pass through a squadron of two or more heavily* armed oion-ot-war entering our ports. The Incessant fire Of many heavy guns, continued for hours or days, would undoubtedly paralyse the population, and it is conceivable might lay the town in ashes. But, as Sir W. Jervois ami almost every qualified person who has spoken upon this subject has said it is not cruisers or squadrons that wc have to fear, for they would not bo likely to escape the vigilance of our own squadrons on tho China, India, Pacific, and Australian stations. Swift merchant steamers, hastily armed os privateers, relying chiefly on their speed to escape our men-Of-war, and intended to prey upon unarmed merchantmen at sea, constitute the real danger we have to consider. It is possible many may bo sent to sea, and if so, they will do on infinity of mischief to our commerce. But os their policy will certainly not bo to approach shores and telegraph wires, for fear of bringing down tho avenger upon themselves, wo may take it for granted that tho risk to our ports is not considerable. Colonel Whitmore has told us that, when our harbours are fortified, it will be impossible even for an unarmed mon-of-war to enter them. Tho danger of a naval expedition such as tho intended one from Potropaulowski is nqt now worth considering. Formerly it might have succeeded, because it was unlookcd for, and would have had tho advantage of surprise. Now wo are forewarned, and our navy are not at all likely to allow such on expedition to moke its way from one end of the world to the other in a condition to do much hoxiu to a Now Zealand port.