'During a recent visit to Great Britain, Mr. E. C. Cracknell, superintendent of telegraphs in New South Wales, collected a large amount of information with reference to torpedoes, both for offensive and defensive warfare, more particularly those suitable for the defence of Port Jackson, and Newcastle and Botany and Broken Bays. Mr. Cracknell was supplied by the English authorities with confidential correspondence respecting the defence of the English seaports with these terrible engines of war, and he made arrangements by which he will be furnished with details of such improvements and inventions as may be introduced into them.'