The sun., 1898-06-05

pense 1t is luxury which might easily
bankrupt nation, II perslstently kept
up. Consequently the sub-calibre and
the aiming drills are those which are
practiced daily.
The former practically brings into play
the same degree Of skill in sighting and
manipulating the big fellows. But in
stead OF actually firing the great guns,
with their massive charges, rifle or
musket is placed inside the bore, and
the shot is discharged from that There
is circular frame, with four supports,
which fits inside the bore, and this sup
ports the small frearm in position. The
gunner has practically the same oppor-
tunity to exercise his skill and ac-
curacy and to maneuver the big gun
as he would have if it We're heavily
charged
The aiming drill is a most interesting
operation, in that no shot is actually
fired, and yet the greatest degree OF ac-
curacy is obtained. In this drill the
marksman mounts rifle on tripod, at
a distance OF usually thirty feet from the
target, the operation taking place on the
main deck.
The target is piece OF blank paper,
ruled off into squares and nailed upon a
wooden background about the size OF an
ordinary door, At the end of this stands
the gunner's mate, holding in his hand
a circular disk made Of tin and perfor-
ated in the centre with a small hole.
This disk has handle, and the gunner's
mate holds it over the target.
The man at the gun sights his weapon,
aiming at the hole in the centre OF the
disk, which he tries to get as near the
exact centre of the target as possible. AS
he squints along the barrel he calls out
to the gunner's mate where to sight the
disk.
Right, left, up and down goes the piece
OF tin, according to the direction shouted
out BY the marksmau. When he thinks
he has trained his rife so that it points
directly at the centre of the target, and
the ball would go through the hole in
the disk, he shouts "Stopw
Then the gunner's mate takes Il pencil
and holding the disk in position makesa a
mark through the centre upon the paper
target. This operation is repeated three
times, then the next man has his trial.
The idea OF the three shots is to get them
as closely together on the target as pos
sible-that is, the three pencil marks
forming the smallest triangle constitutes
the best Workmanship. To determine
the centre of the triangle formed by the
three pencil marks is simple mathe-
matical calculation, and thereon hinges
the result of accuracy.
Pistol practice among the officers is
also largely INDUCED in. The poop deck
is usually the scene OF this, and the tar
get is an ordinary iron one. with paint
pot and brush close at hand. Somebody
will suggest trial at skill, with round
of beer to 60 against the score OF the
poorest marksman. But it is all good
practice.
! Whenever possible our navy is perfect
ing itself in craftsmanship. Practice
with rifles and revolvers takes place both
ahoat and ashore at very frequent inter-
walls. And that is why our navy has
been SO successful in recent encounters.
1t is one thing not to finch under fire
/ through pure bravery, and it is another
thing to realize that bravery is backed up
by the consciousness Of superior skill.
And that is why our gallant tars have
won such universal praise.