Evening journal., 1898-09-29
TAUGHT HOW TO HIT.
bur Sailors Have Hard Practice,
which Makes Them Proficient
ut the Cans.

AS the remarkable gun practice of
the United States sailors exhibited at
Hanila and Santiago and elsewhere
has attracted the attention of the
whole world, with the reEult Of calling
forth much speculation as to how this
high degree of proficiency has been at
tanned, it is proper to state that this
is Of comparatively recent develop
ment and is ascribable entirely to the
energetic efforts of the navigation
bureau of the navy department, sec
onded by the hearty cooperation Of the
commanding officers of our ships.
About n year ago Capt. Crownin-
shield, chief of the navigation bureau,
assisted by Ensign Ward, one of the
brightest and most scientific of the
younger officers of the navy, began to
recast the entire system Of gun prac-
tice as 1t existed in the navy. In their
opinion that system, as IL had come
down from the last war. was not suill-
cieut for the needs Of the day. At the
beginning It was found that owing TO
the restriction imposed by depart
mental rules It was scarcely possible
to have gun practice aboard ship more
than once year, instead of once a
quarter as contemplated.
Courses had TO be laid out and stake
boats placed at angles and records
taken, making it extremely difficult TO
find conditions admitting of the prac-
tice. Cart. Crowninshield at once
changed these rules, and impressed
upon commanders the Importance of
gun practice at every opportunity,
even where It was not possible to lay
n course, in which case barrels or
floating targets of any kind might be
tossed over as the ships were under
way. Moreover, the number Of times
that target practice must be had was
increased to seven annually. Then or
ders were issued calling for night prac-
tice, repelling torpedo boat attacks,
etc.
Following this Capt. Crowninshield
turned his attention to the personnel
of the gun corps. and induced the sec
rotary of the navy to sanction the rat
ing of gun captains, a new rating en-
tirely and one so well paid as to excite
the ambition Of the men. Under the
old system the chief gunners were moi
chosen for their proficiency in gun
merry, but were given their stations be
= cause they happened 20 be petty Of
e ficers, such as quartermasters or boat
swains or the like. This system wal
completely reversed. and sailors were
made petty officers because they wer,
good gun captains, thus getting ri,
I OF n number of inefficient men.
I The next step was to instruct tn
s gunners thoroughly, and they wer,
placed aboard certain vessels set apar
solely for that purpose. Thus the Am
phitrite was given q crew Of these gun
! ners and sent to Port Royal. s. c.. 70
4 extensive drills. The purpose In Sc
q Letting this place was TO secure a larg
L body OF water free from the presenc
d of merchant marine. Being away froI
large cities both officers and men ais
were able to avoid distraction OF a
tention from their work. whic
i progressed remarkably.
h Thus, through careful calcuiatio
s and hard work, when the war brelS
b out the American navy had splendi
g nucleus for the magnificent corps q
: seamen gunners which it developed {
!. the surprise of the world.-Chicag
Il Post.