The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-07
IMPROVE IN THEIR SHOOTING.
British Naval Gunners Show a Marked
Access of Skill.
From the British United Service Ga

British Naval Gunners sho" Markeu
Access of Skill.
From the British United Service Ga
zette. #
AS we were among the first to call at
tention to the necessity of training our
captains of guns in the British heet 10
as near perfection as things can be per-
fected on this mundane sphere, so, per-
haps, may we be allowed to congratu-
late the admiralty on the improvement
which has taken place since our first
criticism appeared. The so per cent of
hits obtained by the crew of the Scylla
is a very considerable advance on any
thing that has previously been record
ed. 1t is all the more satisfactory be-
cause it was obtained when perfectly
independent set of markers were re-
cording the hits made from the guns
of Captain Scotts command. The rec
ords of self-marking ships have begun
to be mistrusted, and it would be as
we'll if the system of independent mark
ing was more freely adopted at quar-
terly target practice in future.
A set of markers appointed to each
station, and visiting each ship in turn
to see at least one quarters practice per
annum carried out in some safe and
convenient spot, and reporting its re-
suits straight to the admiralty, with a
duplicate report to the commander-in-
chief of the station, would be an ideal
thing. Such system would cause
commanding officers to give great
deal more attention to riddling target
on practice day than to polishing bright
work for inspection time. 1t would al
so relieve the admiras from the duty
some of them are imposing on them
selves--i e. taking a ship to sea to
exercise at target practice as a part
of their periodical inspections. This
might still be done in some cases by
way of keeping everyone up to the
mark and for the admiral to observe
for himself the efficiency of his fleet on
this all-importantt point. But with in
dependent markers no faint of the sus-
picion Of self-intsrest-to which we
have all been lamsntably subject since
the fall-would attach to the reports
he would then receive about the quar-
tery practice of ships under his COM
mand. But if a set Of markers for each
station is as yet before the lights OF
those who govern these things, then
Captain SCOTS plan Of set of mark
ers from other ships on the same sta
ton is the next best thing.
1t must not be thought, however, that
the admiralty has, by supplying the
navy with an extra e160,0O0 worth OF
ammunition for gun practice through.
| out the fleet, entirely laid the DOGGY Of
| bad or Indifferent shooting for all time.
| Their lordships have made it plain that
| they intend that straight shooting
shall count more points for promotion
| to an executive officer than polished
bright work. If a nit on the
| target counts for more than a burn
| ished battery door, then the target will
| get hit, while the battery door will re-
| main covered with paint But con
slant pressure and marked examples
will be required, for traditions die hard
| in the British navy. All the old class OF
| officers have been reared in the tradi.
lions of holystone, files bathbrick anc
burnisher, and they have heard the CUR
and torpedo practices "cussed' for the
| mess they made.