Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-01-04

the successful vessel carried at the fore.
The number of shots fired while the ves-
sci was in the firing arc, as well as the
distribution of these shots, were the two
quantities used in determining the figure
of merit. The cutlass drill is the same
as broadsword exercise, the men being
armed with wooden sticks, having
large leather guard. This is an excel
lent muscle developing drill, and when
properly executed is quite well worth
watching, particularly at its close, when
regular set-to is usually encouraged.
The pistol or revolver drill is for the pur-
pose of instruction in handling that wea-
pom, and to teach the men to become
good snap shots. The drill in the man
ual Of arms, the loadings and frings and
the skirmish drill, as far as simple de-
ployment and accustoming the men to
the various bugle calls are concerned,
are about all the instruction in Soldier
ing" that can well be given on ship
board. Mob tactics, marchings and re-
views, as well as more extended skir-
mishing and rifle target firing, have to
be postponed until navy yard or some
convenient port is reached.
The only torpedoes at present furnished
vessels are those known as "spar torpe-
does," which are used both from long
booms fitted alongside of tho vessels, and
smaller ones for working in the steam
launches. Improvising torpcdoes, fuzes
and fittings from ones own resources
forms valuable feature Of this exercise.
Gun cotton is the explosive now used in
all naval torpedoes. The newer vessels
are to be fitted with automobile torpe-
does, which are, of course, an immense
change from "a bag Of powder at the end
OF stick" Proficiency in handling the
various types Of machine and rapid fire
artillery consists, not only in the ability
to load and fire with rapidity and precis-
ion, but also to thoroughly master the
true inwardness Of the various kinds Of
arms and to be able to dismount and re-
assemble the pieces as readily as any ex-
pert in the factory at which they were
made. BY this means alone can the de.
lays caused by o jamming or breaking OF
some one Of the many parts be readily
overcome when the time Of actual use in
battle arrives. The powder division is
composed largely OF servants and 20
called non-combatants The band aboard
Hagships is usually placed in this divis-
ion, and although classed among the nom
combatants, the powder division is really
one of the most important in tho ship, as
upon its GOODNESS and activity depends the
maintenance Of an uninterrupted supply
of ammunition, a matter always OF great
importance, but in these days Of rapid
fire guns one that requires much more
hard work than ever before.
The surgeons division, usually three or
four in number only, is supplemented by
men especially detailed from the guns
crews in case the wounded require at
tention. A portion, say about third OF
the engineers force, is distributed be-
tween the powder and gun divisions. In
addition to the regular duties the powder
division is exercised at the battery and
at small arms, in order to be capable OF
looking after the vessel when the bat
talon is ashore for fighting purposes.
Tie men in the nayigator's division are
generally distributed about the vessel
i'm time Of action to look out after her
steering, tho signals, the souLdings and
the repairs that may be necessary To heI
rigging, hull, spars or sails, and are all
drilled with rifles and cutlasses. The
marine guard, or the sea soldiers, are gen
orally exercised once or twice week al
the great guns, but, rs a rule, the greater
portion Of their drilling is confined to
infantry, in which they attain an ur'
usual degree Of proficiency in the course
of three years cruise. Their duties
! aboard ship differ materially '-om those
Of tho SAILORS. as thew ne sentry