The Portland daily press., 1888-10-17
RIFLE PRACTICAL FORT PREBLE
The Shoot on the Short Range
Ended.
Gun and Carriage Jump from the
Table at the Fourth Shot.

The rifle practice with the big guns at
Fort Preble was continued yesterday after
noon. As on the first day men were sta
toned at either end Of the base line to take
observations and Lieutenant Leary, to whom
the observations were reported, announced
the result of each shot. The target, which
was of the same size as the one used the first
day, was stationed 100 yards from the guns.
being located in the channel near the west
end of Cushing's Island. 1t was LAO O'Clock
when gun No. 1 was loaded. Thirty-fye
pounds of powder were thrust in at the muz-
gle, and then long sharp pointed projectile
weighing ISL pounds, was forced in upon the
charge OF powder by the united efforts of two
artillerymen. Corporal Smith stepped up
on the gun carriage and carefully aimed the
big rifle at the target. When Corporal
Smith stepped down the commander of the
rlcochet battery, Captain Fuger shouted,
"Ready, gun No. l.. frep'
The deafening report shook the earth. and
repeated echoes sounded among the rocks
along the shore. The missile struck little
to the right and In front of the target, send
ing column of water high in the air. The
proJectile bounded clear over the island,
struck the water again and made second
bound, sinking in the sea with great splash
far out on the seaward side of the island.
After the first terrific report the noise made
by the flying missile sounded precisely like
that made by a rapidly moving locomotive
and train of cars.
Corporal Smiths shot would have been ia
tai to vessel situated where the target was,
provided her sides were protected with no
more than half foot of solid iron.
Sergeant Wren aimed the second gun, and
the projectile fred weighed 1872 pounds. The
missile went directly over the target and fell
and sinking into the sea THAT was a good
one, Sergeant" said the batterymen, "a little
lower and yon would have hit it."
The third projectile weighed 1871 pounds,
and was fired by Sergeant Thornhill. The
ball struck little to the right and in front
OF the target, and SO near it that the spray
Tell upon the canvas
Corporate Gillon fired the fourth and last
shot,. the projectile weighing $50 pounds.
The ball went shrieking through the air,
passing directly over and close to the target.
striking the water 20 yards beyond and
bounding over the island. The gun recoiled
with tremendous force against the buffers.
hitting the front part of the carriage off the
pintle, and letting the carriage gun and all
fall back some l6 inches from its proper
place. The rear traverse wheel fell off the
traverse circle and were half buried In the
earth. Fortunately the man who discharged
the gun was not hurt. The gun weighs IT,
900 pounds. and the carriage about 1000
pounds, and owing to their great weight
it will be difficult to put them
in place again. Neither gun nor carriage
were damaged.
The shooting yesterday was quite as good
as on the first day, and furnished good prac-
tice for the soldiers. 1t was found on exam
lining the target Monday that the fourth shot
fired by Sergt Propping hit the canvas
There were quite a number of spectators
at yesterdays rifle practice, among them be-
ing number of the Latin School Cadets,
who were present by invitation of Lieut.
Leary, their drill master
Yesterdays shoot finished the practice at
100 yard range, but at future time there
will probably be practice on a longer range.