147 
OUTPOSTS FOP COAST DEFENCE. 
BY 
MAJOR R. M. B. F. KELLY, R.A. 
I THINK a very little consideration will show that the efficiency of 
Coast Defence depends as much upon its being at all times ready for 
action at very short notice, as upon any other factor that goes to make 
up that efficiency. The experience of the Coast Gunner is likely to be 
that of long periods of inaction, followed by sudden and unexpected 
attacks—and possibly an attack at the very outbreak of [hostilities 
without any warning whatever. 
Such conditions are very trying to the defence, which will require 
to have a very good organisation to prevent its vigilance being 
impaired. 
Coast defence per man is, I suppose, the most costly arm of the 
service. Speaking generally, this expense has been incurred to afford 
secure harbours to our navy and to protect our naval dockyards and, 
to a lesser extent, our more important commercial harbours. If a 
single torpedo boat eludes the vigilance of the defence, the expense 
has, to a greater or less extent, been incurred in vain—not only on 
account of the loss inflicted by that boat, but by giving rise to an idea 
of want of vigilance, and by the stimulating effect of success on the 
enemy, encouraging him to make further attacks and thus destroying 
the confidence the navy had in the Coast Defence, and depriving them 
of the needful rest which they require when in harbour. 
Thus vigilance will not only help to repel an attack, but will tend to 
discourage its being made or repeated. 
To ensure this vigilance and readiness, the organisation of the 
defence must provide for the earliest possible information as to the 
movements of ships, whether hostile or friendly, affecting any particular 
fortress—for a sharp lookout seawards; means of discriminating be¬ 
tween friend and foe; the presence on the spot of an officer able to 
take instant action; and for a sufficient number of men and guns being 
kept ready to give immediate effect to his orders—further, the’organi- 
sation must be such that the tax on the garrison will not be excessive, 
and it must have been so carefully worked out and tested beforehand, 
that it can be applied at the very outset of hostilities ; it will not do 
to leave the consideration of such an important matter till then, and 
no mere paper scheme is worth the paper it is written on until it has 
been tested. 
VOL. XXV, 
