Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-12
FIGHTING AN IRONCLAD.
Points on British Methods Given by
"Onc Who Knows"

From the London Chronicle
Now that a new naval war is imminent the
nature of the discipline on board iron
clad in action will be of interest to the gen.
eral reader. The distribution of the crew
for action is based on the principle of di-
viding the armament into quarters and
to number or name the guns as to give
them an Individuality without reference 10
their size. When action is imminent every
one on board repairs to the allotted station
below on deck or aloft. The gunner OBJ
tains the keys of the magazines. gives them
to the men in charge, sees that the lights
are lit and everything in working order.
AS soon as the guns are cleared away and
loaded report to that effect is made to the
captain.
When this has been done the guns crews
are provided with small arms, upon which
they close up around their guns and await
further orders. A supply of light, quick
firing machine gun, rifle and pistol ammu-
milton is then passed up ready for distri-
button on deck, and a proportion of it sent
aloft This ammunition is served out first
to the small-arm party and to boarders.
and to the remainder of the crew as soon
as their guns are cleared away and arms
provided. In each tube torpedo is placed
ready for discharge. Helmsmen are pro-
vided ready to take charge of the hand
steering apparatus in the event of the
steam-steering gear being carried away.
Orderlies, buglers and men stationed at
voice tubes are ordered to repair to their
stations, but the use of the buge in action
is restricted as far as possible, as long and
complicated calls are liable to be misun-
derStood.
The dress for men in action is as unin-
flammab!e as possible, the blue working rig
being considered the best. There is no rea-
son why action dress should not in future
be saturated with the non-infiammable ma
terial similar to that used by the Non-Im-
flammable Wood Company, now employ ed
in all American ships of war.
1t Is curious point that in action boots
and shoes are ordered to be worn by all
men on deck and in the tops That por-
ton of the crew engaged in the magazines
are provided with list slippers. There was
a great tendency in Nelson's time for the
men to strip during action. This practice
Is now discouraged. Waist belts and
pouches are worn, and men who have pis-
tolls are obliged to wear them.
A fire brigade, consisting Of carpenters
and stokers, screw on hoses and rig all
hand-pumps ready for fire. A man is sta
TONED at each water-tight door, which is
kept open, ready to close 1t when the or
der Is given. AS the spread of fire may at
any time menace the safety of the maya
zine the key of the valve admitting water
to the magazine level is either kept in the
personal charge of the captain or at his
discretion by the officer in charge of the
gun deck.
A supply of oatmeal and water for drink
ing is arranged all over the ship, especially
In the vicinity of magazines, machinery
compartments, stoke holes and shell rooms.
No intoxicating liquor is served on the day
of action on board any well-regulated IRON
clad. This is a great departure from the
practice of double rations Of grog that
were in vogue hundred years ago.
Each division of boarders, ready to leap
on to the enemy's ship md take 1t by as
sault when Its armament has been silenced,