Anniversary Address, xxiii, 
also know—from the account of his adventures, published by Captain 
Semmes, who commanded the * Alabama ”—that it was owing to the 
want of vigilance of the United States naval authorities, and to their 
neglecting to place men-of-war cruisers in proper positions, that he 
was able for a considerable period to carry on his attacks unmolested. 
We further know that the “ Alabama” at length became unserviceable 
from constant cruising ; and in a disabled state, not being allowed to 
go into dock in any port to refit, she was sunk by the “ Kearsage ” 
an encounter with that vessel, which she was not in a condition to 
avoid. Had the “ Alabama” been able to refit and place herself in 
an efficient state, she might, perhaps, have defeated the “ Kearsage ” 
and commenced a fresh career against United States commerce. We 
learn from this case of the “ Alabama " — if indeed the conclusion 
were not obvious without the lesson—the absolute necessity for en- 
suring to ourselves, by effective defence, the use of our naval stations 
throughout the world, in order that they may be denied to an enemy, 
and that he may thus be unable to keep the sea, at the same time 
that they provide secure bases for the movements of cruisers engaged 
in the defence of our commerce. . It has been said that the success of 
the * Alabama” in attacking the commerce of the United States was 
due to her being able to coal in British ports; and tbat hostile 
vessels would be unable to make an attack on Australasia because of 
there being no means of coaling e» route. The answer to this is that 
coaling stations exist in the Pacific Islands; but, even were there 
none, the improvements in the construction of steamers during recent 
years have been such that vessels can now steam 28,000 miles at a 
rate of twelve knots an hour without replenishing their supply of 
coal, 
Now, considering the question from an Australasian point of Defence of 
New prep 
view, the security against attack of certain ports in Australasia is from 
A ustralasian 
an essential part of the maritime defence of this portion of the point of view. 
empire, and it will be seen that there are some which are of com- 
mon interest to all these colonies. For instance, looking at the chart 
of the world before you, you will observe that all ships approaching 
Australia by the Cape or Red Sea routes must pass comparatively 
near to King George’s Sound. If, therefore, this harbour were 
held by an enemy, his war-ships acting therefrom might cut off 
our steamers and merchant-vessels. On the other hand, if secured 
to us, our men-of-war cruisers could use that port as a base for 
the defence of our commercial marine. Again, you will see that 
the Derwent, on which is the Town of Hobart, occupies a central 
position, whence attacks might be directed against Australia and 
