THE SINGAPORE SCHEME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 930, 31 January 1924, Page 5

THE SINGAPORE SCHEME.

MODIFICATIONS PROBABLE. FLOATING DOCK MAY BE PROVIDED. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received January 31, 10.20 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 30. The Daily News understands that Cabinet has had under review £9,500,000 for the Singapore base, of which the late Government approved. Important modifications may 7 now be announced. It is understood that the Admiralty, while insisting on the need for providing at Singapore a modern dockyard in the interests of Imperial defence, is not wedded obstinately to the original plans, which envisaged a huge graving dock capable of accomodating simultaneously two super-dread-noughts. The excavation and building of such a great dock would account for a large percentage of the estimated outlay. There are two alternatives, both involving considerably less expense, and there is reason to believe the Admiralty would adopt one or the other of these instead of pressing for the completion of the original scheme. The first alternative is to enlarge the existing dry 7 dock at Singapore, which would be able to take vessels 850 feet in length, 92 feet beam and 32 feet draught if lengthened by 25 feet, widened by 7 17 feet, and deepened by 7 15 feet. Then ,it would be large enough to take any vessel built or likely to be built, including the Hood and two new battleships. The second, cheaper and more practicable alternative would be to send to Singapore one of the two ex-Ger-man monster floating docks. The largest of these has been repaired and lengthened at Chatham and will modate the largest British warship. Taking such a mammoth structure the 8000 miles’ sea journey to Singapore would be a difficult and hazardous undertaking, but big docks have been towed as great distances without mis- 9 adventure. Moreover, the dock could pass through the Suez canal. Dredging would be necessary at Singapore in order to birth the dock, but the cost, superadded to the towing charges, would be insignificant compared with building a new dry dock on the spot. From the naval viewpoint there is little to choose between dry and_ floating docks, which are equally efficient, but floating docks have the additional advantage of mobility. A further reason in favour of sending an ex-German dock is that it would be available immediately, while a graving dock would take years to complete. It is probable, therefore, that _ the Singapore scheme will be modified, making a substantial saving of public money 7. The Admiralty, nevertheless, intends to press for completion of the new Singapore workshop, naval magazines, and oil tanks, without which an Eastern base would be unable to provide for the requirements of the battle fleet.—Sydney Sun cable. LONDON, Jan. 29. It is authoritatively learned that the Government has abandoned the Singapore site and intends to tow the the largest dry dock at Singapore to Britain.—A. and N.Z. cable.