Page 286 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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61. The R. I. M. S. Lawrence was the ship that came out of this project.
It was, however, found to consume an enormous quantity of coal, a defept which
is much in the way of its frequent use.
(ii) Question of arming the Lawrence.*
62. The duties of the Indian Marine Service as denned in the Indian Marine Service
Act of 1884 are —
The transport of troops,
Guarding of convict settlements,
Suppression of piracy,
Survey of coasts and harbours,
Visiting of light-houses,
Relief of wrecked or distiesscd vessels,
and other local objects.
63. This Act also empowers the Governor-General in Council to make laws for persons
employed, or serving, in, or belonging to, Her Majesty’s Indian Marine Service, but such
laws cannot be applied to any otfcnce unless the vessel to which the offender belongs is at
the time of the commission of the offence withiu Indian waters.
The term ''Indian waters '* includes the high seas between the Cape of Good Hope
on the west and the Straits of Magellan on the east.
64. The Act further provides that in case a state of war exists between Her Majesty
and any foreign power it shall be lawful for Her Majesty by proclamation or Order in
Council to direct that any vessel belonging to Her Majesty's Indian Marine Service, and
the men and officers from time to time serving thereon, shall be under the command of the
Senior Naval Officer of the station where for the time being such ship may be; and that
while any such vessel is under such command, such ve.'Sel shall be deemed, to all intents and
purpose?, a vessel ol war of the Royal Navy, and the men and officers from time to time serv­
ing in such vessels shall be under such Naval Discipline Act or Acts as may be in force for the
time being, and subject to such regulations as may be issued by the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for India in Council.
65. Subsidiary to the Indian Marine Service Act of 1884, which was passed in England,
is the Indian Marine Act of 1887, passed in India, which lays down laws and regulations
for persons serving in the Indian Marine, and which prescribes punishments for misconduct
in the presence of an enemy.
* * * * * * * *
65. With paragraph 34 of despatch No. 100, dated 36th June 1885, the Government of
India forwarded to the Secretary of State a
Marine Pro. A., July 1885, No. 1456. letter from the Director, Royal Indian Marine,
suggesting that armaments should be provided for two new vessels tl.en being built in
England for the Royal Indian Marine and intended for service in the Red Sea and Persian
Gulf respectively as " the work both ships will be employed on venders this very
desirable." The Government of India stated that they agreed with the Director, Royal
Indian Marine, and recommended the provision of au armament.
67. In reply the Secretary of State said that the ship for the Persian Gulf had been
sanctioned on the understanding that the duties
Septrc°mbtreC.E85,J °f SU,ef N#’ 94*’ ^ 3°‘h to be performed by it were strictly non-com-
Wa.Tne Pro. A. October 1885. No. 3301. batant, and that it should be unarmed, but His
See Marine P10. A , Janu.-uj »8Sa, No* 1230L Lordship went on to remark that as regards the
ifiq0,hPfpytmInt Pr0* .External A., December question of armament the same print iples applied
1 *o3• to both vessels; that in the event of war these
vessels would probably receive their complement from the Royal Navy, and that he consi-
deied it advisable to provide them with such fittings as would enable them to be rapidly
and easily armed, the guns being provided but kept in store until requited. This in bis
opinion was all that was necessary, and His Lordship then made the following important
observations " It is not desirable to do anything which would induce the belief that the
Indian Marine is a combatant force. It would indeed scarcely be acting in good faith to
do so, since the Marine Regulation Act was passed on the understanding that the duties to be
performed were mainly those of transport and communication. The armaments winch
should be ready on emergency, and when the vessels of the Marine came under the direct
authority of the Naval Commandcr-in-Chief, should be kept in store in India, and be
returned into store when no longer required under such authority. Should any fighting be
necessary in ordinary times in the Persian Gulf, it must be done by Her Majesty's ships
of war stationed there. It would be almost certain to produce complication, if the ctyt
officer were placed in a position to make war, as it were, from bis own yacht. On the
other hand it will be advantageous that the vessels should be so constructed a1* to be
capable of being useful in time of war. ’
68. 1 be Secretary of State’s decision to keep the armaments in reserve was communi-
cated to those concerned, and the Government of India replied to His Lordship concurring
• Pjra*. 63—75 taken fiom the Precis in Secret E., Augu*t 1896, bo*. 8a- 85.