United Kingdom News: 1870

[Darman]

2 February

Her Majesty's government announced yesterday its intentions to extend a defensive zone around the British Isles and all attendant territories controlled by the Crown, beyond the accepted three mile territorial waters boundary by two miles.  All vessels traveling within this five mile defensive zone will be accorded the protection of the Royal Navy, while hostile or suspicious vessels may be stopped and searched by coast guard vessels of the Royal Navy.  Additionally, the Royal Navy has been given permission to stop and search any and all merchant vessels acting suspiciously while transiting the English Channel in international waters during times of war.  During times of war any warship belonging to a non-belligerent may be escorted through the Channel by a Royal Navy vessel for its own protection.  It is requested that any such warship transiting the Channel inform Her Majesty's government in advance of its scheduled transit. 

[Jefgte]

...any such warship transiting the Channel inform Her Majesty's government in advance of its scheduled transit. 

That's difficult, Marconi will be used in about 1900.
IMO, France & GB could just see the ships at the begining of the Channel transit with patrol boats.

Jef  ;)

[Darman]

...any such warship transiting the Channel inform Her Majesty's government in advance of its scheduled transit. 

That's difficult, Marconi will be used in about 1900.
IMO, France & GB could just see the ships at the begining of the Channel transit with patrol boats.

Jef  ;)

True... Or they could send a ship's boat into port and talk to the port's authorities.  I'm still not entirely sure how that one works....

[Jefgte]

Or they could send a ship's boat into port and talk to the port's authorities...

I'm still not entirely sure how that one works

... => Me too
In 1870, I think that it is not realist.
But You could have patrol boats in the Channel.

France had 200t PB - 10kts - 1x100 +2x47 for that job.

http://www.navalism.org/index.php/topic,6324.60.html

Jef

[Darman]

I might put a few warships on Dover Patrol for that purpose.