The San Francisco call., 1908-03-29
r1ErJ OF WAR cow
rdAGRALErTA BAX

viAual abort must b merged In
team work and each unit OF
every guns Grew must be able with
almost mathematical precision to par
form his exact share OF the labor I'M
posed. The efficiency thus attained II.
however, not confined to few, AZ sv-
cry ship has reserves OF men. each one
fitted to take up any one OF the
specialized duties. The work iss of
course, unremitting and II from tia
hrst pursued not only according to q
prsarranged program, but as . sup.
pisment to expected but not dsnnsd
opportunities when thu demands q
other duties will not interfere.
All this earnest and intelligent en-
dsavor Is based on the necessities I'M
posed by preparation for war-that 10.
50 far as the battery and It's services
are concerned. The inspiring theory In,
drst, that gun crews should be trained
so they can hit. through team work,
target accurately and rapidly, and.
second, that the training Of tho ship.
It's handling and its disposition viii
complement the accuracy and rapidity.
OF gun fire As rule these practices
are undertaken by the enlisted force
with such an appeal to the ambitions
and rivalries of the individual that In a
short time each unit is fairly certain
TO share the enthusiasm and to emu
this rivalry exists not only between
fleets, squadrons and single ships. but
among the various crews OF the same
ship, though. In the latter case. this Is
usually subordinated to ths sentiment
that his ship-not his last ship. after
the old fashioned and approved sea
growls, but the ship on board OF which
he Is serving-nlay be set down IN the
list as No. 1, as the champions OF thu
champions.
The final result OF this coordination
Of science and art OF theory and prao-
tics. with the personal element Is dis
covered In an enormously increased
sdicieroy IN gunnsry practice. The
training, skill and rivalry secured. ths
ship goes TO the nring range with
determination to do it's very best When
the vessel reaches the range. surely
Strengthened out for its run. q red nag
Is mastheaded and a single blast In
sounded By the steam whistle. This
indicates the firing should CON-
mence. and as at the speed assigned a
very short time interval Is allowed for
the run. 1t is important to begin at oncs
and hre with rapidisy consistent with
getting on" the target. The only hits
that count are those which In dirsot
flight. not by richochet nor indirec-
ton. hit the target: ana the value az
signed each OF these 10 dependent upon
the particular zone struck. Hits. not
holes. count. The size Of the mark
varies somewhat according to calibsr
and practice. but IL published reports
may bs credited the target screens for
great guns are about 81 feet IN length
and IT feet In width. and distant
from the range somewhere near 1900
feet. II possible all the guns In q
turrst are fred on the same run. IN
order that . true turrst value may bs
established.
The shots from each rum are az
curats1y determined A repair boat.
stationed In the nsighborhod Of tho
buoy and well clear OF the range. goes
to the target at a special signal and
counts the hits made-not the
holes rs indicated above and
eHeots the Immediately necessary
repairs. There IL target UNI