GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1897 . 
323 
the service of the shore guns.* 
(d) Raid—that is a sudden attempt to penetrate the defences with 
a view to the destruction of shipping in the harbour or under con¬ 
struction, docks, coal and stores. 
Not only can this form of attack be adopted by either side in any 
state of sea power, but requiring no preparation on the part of the 
assailant it is to be confidently expected, at ports within range of the 
enemy’s base, not later than immediately after the outbreak of hostili¬ 
ties, and possibly even before they have formally commenced, f 
Prompt action of this nature holds out the best hopes of success, since 
the defender on the other hand is less likely to have completed all those 
arrangements, such as the placing of obstructions, for resisting attack, 
which cannot be finally effected in time of peace. 
The larger torpedo boats are unquestionably the most suitable craft 
for such undertakings. They are very speedy and can therefore reach 
their objective in a very short time after leaving the base,! and can 
more easily elude detection and attack, both en route and on attaining 
their destination. By reason of their light draught they are not confined 
to the ordinary channels on approaching a port. Their small size and 
particularly their low freeboard, further aid them in eluding observa¬ 
tion, and render them a difficult target. Above all they are compara¬ 
tively cheap, carry small crews, and can be very quickly built, while 
at the same time the damage they are capable of inflicting is out of all 
proportion to the inconvenience which the loss of even several of them 
might occasion.]; Night or thick weather, or both, offer the best 
facilities for the attack, during which every endeavour will be made to 
escape detection by the defence. 
It is conceivable that Raid might take the form of landing small 
parties with a view to destruction on shore, but if this is done outside 
the range of the sea defences it must be met by the military precautions 
usual on land, while if landing takes place inside this area opposition 
to it would assume precisely the same form as that to torpedo-boat 
attack. There seems no probability whatever that large vessels will 
ever be used for purposes of raid where the defence is not utterly 
disorganized. They can effect no destruction which cannot be equally 
well carried out, with the help of modern explosives, by smaller craft, 
while every advantage which the torpedo boat possesses would be 
sacrificed by their use. There is however this exception: where the 
attacker has reason to believe that the channel is obstructed to such 
an extent that the boats will have physical difficulties in effecting an 
entrance, it is not unlikely that under favourable circumstances an old 
or specially constructed vessel of larger size may be sent in with them 
for the purpose of making a breach in the obstructions, sacrificing 
herself if necessary.! 
* In corroboration of the above reference is invited to “ Naval Attack of Fortifications,” 
Capt. May, R.N., r.a.i.p., Vol. xix., No. 3 ; “ Ships versus Forts,” Capt. Jackson, r.n., 
“R.E. Occasional Papers,” 1889, p. 217 ; “Floating Defence,” Lieut.-Col. Sir G. Clarke, 
R.E., r.a.i.p., Yol. xxi., No. 10 ; “ The Attack of a Coast Fortress,” Major R. F. Johnson, 
R.A., R.a.i.p., Yol. xx., No. 7 ; “The Training together in Peace Time of the Garrison 
Artillery Forces of the Empire,” Captain Nicolls, R.A., r.a.i.p., Vol. xxii., No. 7. 
+ “The Attack of a Coast Fortress,” Major Elmslie, R.A., Prize Essay 1893, R.A. 
Institution Proceedings, Vol. xx., No. 7. 
X “The value of torpedo boats in war time,” Comdr. R. H. Bacon, r.n., “ Brassey’s 
Naval Annual,” 1896. 
