Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-06-24

In moving practice, whenever posi-
BILE, the same system of recording is
observed, but there are times when
this is impossible, owing to the con-
ditiOn of the sea.
Regular reports are made to the
admiral of the fleet, and the successful
gunners are then indeed happy.
Money prizes are given to the best
marksmen of the various ships, and
quarterly the bureau of navigation
issues printed circular, showing the
relative standing of each ship in the
service as to target practice.
This list contains the names OF all
the best marksmen of each ship, ar
ranged in order of merit. This in it.
self fosters spirit of emulation
among the men, as well as a 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 mere money prizes.
But it must be remembered that
the actual firing of the big guns is a
great expense. 1t is luxury which
might easily bankrupt a nation if
kept up. Consequently the sub-cal.
iber and the aiming drills are those
which are practiced daily.
The former practically brings into
play the same degree of skill in sight
ing and manipulating the big fellows.
But instead of actually firing the
great guns, with their massive charges,
a rife 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 supports the small
frearm in position. The gunner thus
has practically the same opportunity
to exercise his skill and accuracy and
to maneuver the big gun as he would
have if it were heavily charged.
The aiming drill is a most interest
ing operation, in that no shot is ac-
tually fired, yet the greatest degree of
accuracy is obtained. In this drill
the marksman has rifle on a tripod
at a distance of usually thirty feet
from the target, the operation taking
place on the main deck.
The target is a piece of blank paper,
ruled off into squares and nailed upon
wooden background about the size
of an ordinary door. At the side of
this stands the gunner's mate, holding
in his hand an ordinary disk made of
tin and perforated in the center 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
center of the disk, which he tries to
get as near the exact center 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 marksman. When
he thinks he has trained his rifle so
that it points directly at the center of
the target, and the ball would 90
through the hole in the disk, he
shouts "stop"
Then the gunners mate takes q pen
Gil, and holding the disk in position,
makes mark through the center
upon the paper target. This opera
tion is repeated three times, and 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 con-
stitute the best craftsmanship. To
determine the center OF the triangle
formed by the three pencil marks is a
simple mathematical 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 target is an ordinary iron one,
with paint pot and brush close at
hand. Somebody will suggest a trial
at skill, with a round of beer to go
against the score of the poorest marks
man. But it is all good practice.
Whenever possible our navy is per-
fecting itself in craftsmanship. Prac-
tice with rifles and revolvers takes
place both afloat and ashore at very
frequent intervals. 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.
THE war with Spain has caused
scarcity of pineapples, which delici.
GUS fruit comes largely from the Ba.
hama Islands, and which has hitherto
been brought to our markets prin-