COASTAL DEFENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1831, 10 April 1907, Page 57

COASTAL DEFENCE.

CAN VESSELS BE BUILT IN AUSTRALIA? Mr Esplen, the naval architect, connected with the contractors for the Anglo-Australian mail services, was recently consulted by the Federal Defence Department regarding the proposal to build coast defence vessels m Australia. According to the Minister, beyond his having been given the advantage of information based upon Mr Bsplen’s knowledge and experience, no definite - arrangements were made. There will probably be further consultations between Mr Esplen and the Prime Minister during Mr Deakms stay in London. \ Mr Esplen was afterwards interviewed by a representative of the Sydney “Daily Telegraph. 5 ’ He stated that lie thought, the project of building the coast defence ships in Australia was quite practicable. He understood tnat it was proposed to have certain of the vessels built in England, and for those to be used as a guide for local contractors. That was _ right enough in its way—he almost indicated that it was unnecessary —but he inclirffed to the opinion that it would bo better tor the Commonwealth to have the ships built in sections, and sent to Australia to be put together, as was frequently done under contracts entered into by British shipbuilders. The only question that presents any difficulty to Mr Esplen’s mind is that of labour conditions, which are so different in Australia to those obtaining in tbe Old Country, but, lie said, during the conversation, that he had no doubt the various trades engaged in shipbuilding would recognise the importance of this matter and come to an .equitable arrangement when the time came for such negotiations. No ; Mr Esplen had not any opinions to offer upon the relative merits of submarines and the class of boats proposed under Captain Creswell’s scheme —ho did not think it fair that lie should be asked to discuss matters that might involve differences of opinion between officers in the employ of the Commonwealth, and on the same grounds ho would not speak of the economy—apart from all considerations of' efficiency—that might be effected by the substitution of submarines for torpedo boats and destroyers, as is advocated by some fortress artillery experts. There would be no trouble for local contractors in the matter of patents for torpedo boats, or for the armament or details connected with the construction of the destroyers—the idea that there would be was scouted, by Mr Esplen. '■ - ....... Then, upon the subject of ship onto' ing yards. It is in this connection /. particularly that Mr Esplen was con-, suited, by the Minister for Defence. After further inspections of harbour Bites, he i 3 still firm in his opinion that " whatever dockyards are required in pursuance of a policy of naval construction must be located in Sydney. Mr Trevisa Clarke said, lately, that he would undertake to build a firstclass torpedo boat at Mort’s Dock, with the plant and conveniences already there: —he did not say anything about the destroyers—and Mr Esplen does not disagree. But the Government plan involves a Government dockyard, and the Sutherland Dock does not meet requirements. There are, however, other sites which satisfied the critical requirements of the expert. But then, again, while the establishment of . a local naval base, either at Sydney or elsewhere, must involve a very large expenditure of capital ■ there is another consideration which does not seem to have entered into tho Government; calculations at all. It is the necessity for the establishment of several repairing depots at various coastal centres within the pro-

jected cruising areas of the coast defence fleet. Mr Esplen, when asked about this matter, said it was one he had not been asked to .go into, but he quite realised that the distribution of the destroyers, and torpedo boats would practically mean that each of the State capitals would be a naval base. It would be out of all question to bring vessels, say, from Perth or even Adelaide round to a dockyard at Sydney or Melbourne for repairs—especially in time of war—and therefore each base would have to be a repairing depot, and to have a dry dock available for the ships. On the Queensland and West Australian coast it might also be necessary to have similar preparations at such places as, for instance, Townsville and Bunbury respectively, and that would mean much expense. “And those depots would have to be provided as part of the initial expense of a naval defenco scheme?” lie was asked.

“Most certainly, 55 Mr Esplen replied, “you can’t start finding your regular shops when tho ships have gone into action—they must bo maintained all tho time.”

But as a general principle Mr Esplen thinks the proposal to build coast defence vessels in Australia is quite feasible.