SINN FEIN PLOT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18572, 26 November 1920, Page 5

SINN FEIN PLOT.

SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURE.

PLANS FOR DESTRUCTION OF LIVERPOOL DOCKS.

WRECKING OF POWER-HOUSES. INCENDIARISM TO MASK OPERATIONS. By Telegraph Press Association-Copyright Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received Novonibor 25, 7.50 p.m.) ~ . LONDON, November 25. Tho Irish Office publishes captured Smn i'cin documents, containing detailed plans to destroy Liverpool dock ga os and machinery by means of frelip*mte, also sketches for the guidance of gangs. It was proposed to ignite a warehouse to mask operations. Other documents give dotails, with sketches, for crippling the main power station m Manchester, which is supplying the majority of factories, trams, etc., also the reports of a spy who made a close inspection.

DETAILS CAREFULLY PREPARED. (Received November 25, 8.20 tun.) LONDON, November 25. In connection with tho Irish Office’s publication of captured Sinn Fein documents, revealing diabolical schemes to wreok power station and dock gates at Liverpool, also tho power-house at Manchester, it was hoped that if the dock gates were destroyed the outrush oil water would cause widespread damage to shipping. The destruction of the power station in Stuart Street, Manchester, would, according to the document, paralyse Manchester. The plan ol campaign as regards Liverpool was to cut the telephones, overpower the dock police, open the gates and then demolish tho gate machinery by means of gelignite. It waa estimated that this would require twen-ty-three offioers, twenty-seven engineers and seventy-five rank and file. Preparations would occupy three.weeks, the officers to reside in the vicinity. Schedules contain a list of docks, how to destroy them, the number of men required, how the docks at present are protected and guarded, how to deal with the guards, and how to approaoh them. For example, the Canada dock was allotted to ten men, with a hundred -pounds of gelignite. Attempts were made to calculate tho time nooossary to empty the docks by, such methods. Instructions are given as regards tho most vulnerable portions of the machinery, and how various parts could bo best attacked. Sketches are drawn of, the dockyards showing the method and material of construction, and what weight of explosive is required at eaoh hinge. It was proposed to detonate the charges electrically. In order to mask the approach and escape of the gangs, it was proposed to start fires ,in cotton and oilier warehouses half an hour ahead.

The document relating to Stuart Street, Manchester, tells how the station is worked, the hours and shifts, with a sketch plan showing the positions of vulnerable machinery, for example turbines and switchboards. It was proposed to cut the telephones, overpower the watchmen and admit a motor bearing tools, and also round up the staff and workmen. Most detailed instructions are furnished, with sketches showing how each destruction party would proceed, the number of men in each party, and what implements were necessary. Another document gives the report of a spy who toured the works one Sunday morning for an hour and 1 a half. The same spy visited a vital pumping station at Claytonvale and supplied a report thereon, (Received November 25, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, November 25. The spy describes the importance of the power station to Manchester industry, and shows details as to how the destruction parties ought to proceed.