The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-02-01
Esta blishment Of q Naval Gunnery school

Establishment OF q Naval Gunnery School.
From the Washington correspondence of the New
York Journal of Commerce extract The following i'm
porant suggestions relative 10 the establishment OF
naval gunnery school The writer. who signs himself
W. A B has evidently given the subject much alten-
tion:
at worthy fact that there system OF edu-
cation for gunners in the American navy, and the
upon whom this important duty would devolve in of
hosties would probably be enrely ignorant of the
of the service TO be performed IL is that
board few ships little instruction impaired but
il by general The compiished Secretary of
the Navy Mr.. Dobbin is fully alive 10 the Importance of
this matter, and, understand, is anxious that naval
school, gunnery ship, should be established In the
schools OF and France, board the Excellent and
The Minerva, instructed in the preparation OF
shell aud fuse, the adjustment OF sights, In the correction
OF estimatesn short, in all the delicate opera.
lions that bring full and certain action the destructive
powers OF artillery, whether at long rasge short range
To say that shall longer remain ght in
the of the appliances common to all the powers
would certainly be unwise. The skill and aptness Of our
people in the Of firearms is poyetbis because they
are familiar with them. Bat how many cogui-
OF modern innovationf the terrible efficacy of the
Paixhanl
r rom the statements OF Lieut. Gen Sir Howard Ding.
las tnppeas that the English gunnery school board the
Excellent established in 1882 and in 1859 building
also appropriated for the mediation and instruc
ton OF officers Of all ranks half pay who might desire
it, Since the commencement, 500 have been
tered gunners of these 100 have been examined and
passed qualified TO captains of guns gun
ner mates, and gunne of ships 273 have actually been
appointed gunners, and 800 gunner mates and lao
wellIained seamen gunners serving In the Brit
ish navy first and second captains guns Seventy or
80 euenants and $50 mates and midshipmen who havs
been in the Excellent have been examined and certfcaed
and % of them serving gunnery lieutcnant
mates, and midshipmen board ships comm ission
" The French gunnery ship In 1910 the Amszou, ia
lSis and 1850 the frgae Minerva In Fl months $50 sea
men gonners were qualified and passed
:" Our seamen need this instruction Oficers may do all
that can be done bat Ia OF hoses. after the issue
joined, il most be evident that eye that points the
piece, and the hand that draws the anard must be prac
tsed and true IL is not merely proper manipulation of
side.acke, and SPONGE and rammer that is necessary
these only the radimehts Of the business Buthe cap
tain OF gun should be thoroughly conversant with the
construction and Of all the pausihe lock- the primer
fuse, sight, Ne. Above ALL shell practice at sea- at ,ang
targets, Is absolutely necessary And this information
should be based complete knowledge OF saior.otat
or course sucb class Of to be picked M in
the purieus ofour great cities for $40 or sl2 per month
upon the cool suggestion that petty oiH es rae NAV
perchence some day fall to ones share Liberal pay must
be rendered. In order to obtain subjects for instruction and
expert gunner should be ra,ed petty officers Premiums
might also be offered for skin Ia firing and in using shells
sights, &c
cit is understood that the House Committee on Naval
Affairs win shortly report bill containing provision for
eured list and il is to be hoped that they will not l, 10
recommend the immediate Embellishments Of a runnerv
tchoo"