COMMENDED ESSAY, 1893. 
409 
within striking distance of the landing place. This may necessitate 
the provision of vessels of light draught, the best of skelters for ships, 
and landing places for boats not always producing deep water close in 
shore. The immediate landing will be covered by quick-firing and 
machine guns in the boats. 
If under fire the landing should be made on as broad a front as 
possible. Unless the landing be on wharves or jetties, the troops 
should never be embarked in steam launches, as they have small accom¬ 
modation and cannot go where pulling boats can. 
In selecting the landing place the following points must be considered 
and, if possible, attained:— 
(1.) Avoidance of the fire of the fortress or earthworks. 
(2.) Good anchorage for the ships. 
(3.) Deep water close in shore. 
(4.) Sheltered position. 
(5.) Accessibility, to ensure free communication between ships 
and shore. 
(6.) Broad stretch of beach. 
Advantage should be taken of any natural features of the ground 
which may facilitate the landing parties defending themselves or the 
ships assisting them. 
The landing should be carried out on the flood tide as follows:— 
(1.) Troops to be embarked in pulling boats manned by their full 
complement of seamen. 
(2.) These boats to be formed in columns of 5 or 6, connected by 
tow ropes. 
(3.) Each column to be taken in tow by a steam launch, armed 
with a Q.F. or machine gun in the bow. 
(4.) Columns to be so far apart that, when the boats are in line 
abreast, they can use their oars. 12 yards will be suf¬ 
ficient for each boat. 
(5.) Flanks to be protected by special craft. Riflemen in the 
steam launches. 
(6.) The approach to the shore to be rapid. 
(7.) When the water begins to shallow the boats will be cast off, 
will form up right and left of the launches, and pull in to 
the shore. 
(8.) The first division to consist of infantry, engineers, and, 
possibly, light artillery; also, naval artificers with material 
for erecting jetties,. &c. 
(9.) Boats, when emptied, to return at once for fresh cargoes. 
(10.) Party landed not to advance too far, but to secure their 
position. 
(3.) Keeping the line of communications open .—The object of this is 
for the renewal of supplies and reinforcements from depots at home. 
It means having absolute command of the sea, without which a com¬ 
bined attack on a large scale should never be attempted. 
(4.) Acting as the base of the army .—This is the principal part played 
by the navy in the actual process of attack, i.e. 3 giving the army a base 
