The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-26
Big GUNS DOOMED
RESONANT ROAR OF COAST DE-
RENDERS AXVOKE TYBEE.
VISITORS AT TT. SCREVEN.
ANNUAL TARGET PRACTICE WILL
BE RESUMED TODAY.

Lester and Col. EstilI Were Guests
of Commandant Taylor at the Ex-
ercises-Practice Commenced in
Morning and Continued Through
out the Day-Gunners Showed
Great skiII-Fort Has Been Much
Improved Under Col. TayIOr's Ad-
ministratiOn.
The annual target practice at Fort
Screven began yesterday, and through
out the entire day the resonant boom
OF the big guns awoke the echoes on
the island.
The practice, which consisted in ex-
ercises with the sub-caliber projectiles,
was in every way satisfactory, indicat-
ing that it would be beyond the range
of possibility for any unwelcome fight
ing craft TO enter the harbor.
The exercises will be continued to-
day, when the practice will be similar
to that held yesterday, except that, in
stead of the sub-caliber projectiles. the
regular projectiles will be used. In ad-
dition to the eight-inch and twelve
inch guns which were fired yesterday,
the mortars and rapid fire pieces will be
brought into execution.
The practice yesterday was most in
teresting. Col. Taylor, commandant
of the fort, had as his guests, Col.
James B. Quinn, United States engin-
eer; Col. Rufus E. Lester and Col. j.
H. Estill. These gentlemen were
among the most interested spectators
at the practice, and were highly graft
fled at the almost faultless exhibition
of skill. The same gentlemen, with the
exception of Col. Estill, will witness
the practice to-day. Col Jordan F.
Brooks has also been invited to at
tend.
Shot at Moving Target.
The sub -calbre practice was begun
in the morning, though the regular tar
get exercises were not started until l
O'Clock. At that time a steam launch,
towing the targets, was despatched,
under command of Adjt. Peace. The
target consisted of two bateaus, tied
some 300 feet apart which were tow
ed by a lire of sufficient length to
render the launch out of harms way.
In each of the bateaus was a white
target, the distance between the two
being supposed to represent the length
of warship.
Out of a total of nearly a hundred
shots, there were not a dozen which
would not have wrought destruction to
the enemys craft. The S-inch gun was
commanded by Capt. Gilmore. while
the larger fellow was manned under
the direction of Capt. Doores. Signals
to the target tower were transmitted
by means of a red flag displayed from
Tybee light house. The range was
from 1000 to $500 yards.
The most interesting feature of the
practice is the manner in which the
big guns are aimed. 1t is not necessary
for the men behind the guns to see the
object at which they fire. The range
and elevation of the target is trans
mitted to the gunners by telephone,
from signal stations. This information
is gained by mathematical calculations
in the chart room, and the rapidity
with which it is transmitted is one OF
its most interesting features.
With Mathematical Accuracy.
AS wonderful as the accuracy of the
aim seems TO the spectator, it is even
more inconceivable in the case of the
mortar guns. These instruments of
death, which daily are gaining favor
as coast defenders, are installed in an
enclosure within the Notifications
many feet below the top of the fort.
The asmuth. range, velocity of the
moving target and time of flight are
automatically computed in the
twinkling of an eye, and the huge pro-
jectile, weighing half ton, is thrown
into the air to a height oftimes of
nearly two miles, to fall like a bolt
from heaven upon the enemys craft.
These mortars will be used to-day.
The practice will be resumed this
morning at 10 o'clock, and, the weather
conditions being favorable, will prob
ably be very interesting. Col. Quinn,
who returned to the city, accompanied
by Col. Estill, on the government
launch Angler, will go to the island
this morning. Col. Quinn's duties are
confined to an observation of the result
of the explosions, upon the fortifica-
tons.
The visitors yesterday were much
pleased to note the Improvement which
Col. Taylor has wrought at the fort.
Where a short time ago there We're
huge sand dunes, the earth is now
leveled and Bermuda grass fiourishes.
Many other improvements which con-
duce to the better appearance and ad-
ditional service of the fort have been
made. One of these is the installation
in the hospital of one of the most pow
~
DIR. Gilchrist, who is in charge of its
operation, has successfully conduc ed
many experiments which have not be-
fore been made. The machine carries
sixteen plates, and in New York city,
says DIR. Gilchrist, there is nothing like
it.
Fort Pulaski as store House.
Among the improvements in prospect
is the use of old Fort Pulaski as a
store house and torpedo reserve station.
The Board of Engineers recently con-
Quoted an inspection of the fort with
a view to ascertaining whether it was
adaptable to such a purpose. Col.
Quinn said yesterday that the board
had recommended its use for the pur-
poses named. The signal system in the
batteries will also be improved. The
destruction of the present spur track
trestle and wharf and in its stead the
construction of a new wharf. is also
among the contemplated improvements
Col. Quinn wears his dress uniform
on the occasions of his visits to the
fort An order which will become eff
fective on July /, requires the members
of the corps to wear their uniforms at
all times hereafter when on duty.
"Queen of Summer Trips"
baltimore and Philadelphia by Sea.