The sun., 1898-06-05
SUPERIOR WORK
of the American GunneTS as Shown
During the Present War Due
to Continuous Practice.


During the Present War Due
to Continuous Practice.
In almost every engagement OF the
present war the superiority of the Ameri-
can craftsmanship has been noteworthy
1t has evidenced familiarity with the
powers of the great guns OF the navy and
of the conditions under which they can
do the most effective execution. At
Manila, at Matanzas at Porto Rico, in
short on every occasion when it has
been possible to display our marksman-
ship, our gunners have made spendid
showing.
1t is not the result of chance or the
fortunes of war by any means, but of
hard and constant drilling and beautiful
discipline. Our boys can give the de.
tenders OF Spain cards and spades in
craftsmanship and probably teach a few
lessons to the other nations who are
looking on with finger itching to get into
the pie.
1t is no inexpensive thing, this drill
ing OF gunners. 1t is luxury which
Spain cannot afford. Hence her poor
showing in the recent encounters which
she has had with our ships. This fact
may be easily understood when you
realize that during the bombardment Of
Matanzas Uncle sam paid 5000 every
time the Puritan discharged one of her
big guns.
OF conrse, in practice. this would be
extremely expensive. Consequently our
navy has adopted other means OF insur
,tipln an ln art nt I,Dr
gunners. Our ships are obliged to have
target practice with big guns at least
once every three months, when the
nnmber OF shots to be fired is prescribed
by regulations, which vary as the men
grow IN proficiency. The great expense
attached to this necessarily reduces the
number of shots fired from each gun.
But in order that practice may be kept
up, daily drills are substituted. either in
! the form of sub-calbre or aiming drills
The great gun practice takes place
under conditions as near as possible to
those which would arise in actual war
| fare. The target is anchored, ana the
guns are trained on it both while the
ship is moving and while she is station
arv.
This target is placed upon n platform
supported by barrels. Up from the
centre comes pole, on the summit OF
which Is attached red flag Then there
are four protrudng canvas wings or sails,
with semi-circle PAINTED on each, SO
that no matter which way lhe target
shifts, there is always ull's-cye to
aim at.
The target may be placed at any dis
tance outside OF 600 yards from the
vessels. Twelve hundred yards is usual
ly the range. To each gun is allotted
certain number OF fires, or strings" as
they are technically Y called.
The total number of shots fired during
one quarter for ship FAY OF the Texas
class, would be G42. Two Pinch guns
would fire three shots each, one each
with full charge, and two each with re-
duced charges. The weight of the shot
would be 500 pounds and the charge Of
powder from 800 to 400 pounds.
Then there would be thrty-six shots
for Ginch guns, 2SS from twelve e.
FOUNDERS, IA from six l-p,unders and
nincty-siX from iunr Ilotchkiss revolving
cannon. SIX shrapnrl from 5.inch guns
and twenty-five additional shots would
be allowed tie secondary battery. IN
order IT, give others than those regularly
stationed at the guns practice i'll marks
ship.
These days OF great gun drill are epochs
in the lives OF our sailor BOYS. Four
observers are employed to note the ac-
curacy OF the fine. Two are in small
boats on the water. They determine by
; means Of graduating T squares the point
or fall of the shot, whether it be t the
right or left OF the target, and whether
the shot has gone short or over the
mark.
The other two observers are stationed
on the ships. One notes the number OF
, shot and records the apparent fall a. it
, appears to the fourth observer, who
: watches the flight of the projectilc. A
similar record Of shots is kept by each OF
the observers in the boats This system
, applies particularly to when the ship is
stationary. In moving practice, when
ever possible, the same system Of record
| ing is observed, but there are times when
, tins is impossible, owing to the condition
Of tine sea.
Regular reports are made to the 'ad-
; miraI Of the fleet, and the lccessfuI gun
nrrs are then indeed happy. Money
: prizes ar given to the best marksmen OF
the various ships, and quarterly the Bu-
,, reau OF Navigation issues printed circu.
lar showing the relative standing Of
each ship in the service as to target prac-
, t ice
2 This list contains the names OF all the
best marksmen of each ship, arranged IN
order of merit. This in itself fosters Il
spirit OF emulation among the men as
: we'll as keen rivalry between the ships,
: and even among the gun divisions OF the
same ship. The honor thus gained is by
far more highly appreciated by Jack than
t the mere money prize.
But it must be remembered that the
act, al firing Of the big guns is a great ex-