Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-16
Gig Cruiser Pfsbsb|g ao|ts The
Weiks Record fof Shooting.
besI al1 u TIE U. $. IlIr
Heavy Guns Made 70 Per Cent. OF
Hits IN Target Practice AZ Masda'
lena eay-Reeords Of Some Other
Warships.

WASHINGTON, May 14-Tho Mary
land, one Of the big four" armored
cruisers. has distinguished herself
above all other vessels in the Ameri-
can Navy. and perhaps in the world.
by winning the battleship trophy In
the recent record target practice
which has been concluded at Magda-
lena Bay.
While the scores are being care
fully guarded from the public, by
strict orders OF Secretary Metcalf, 1t
is learned unofficially that the Mary
land. with her heavy guns. made a re-
cord Of 70 per cent. OF hits This Is
considered above any previous record.
even that OF the battleship Illinois.
which won the trophy at Guantanamo
last spring. The Illinois was believed
to have eQualed the best records In
any foreign navy, and It appears
probably that the Meryland has ont-
classed all other vessels in the &C
curacy OF Ter turret guns.
As soon as the winner was determin-
cd congratulations were telegraphed
to Capt. Chauncey Thomas. command
ing the ship. and the commander
in-chief Of the Pacific feet. to which
organization the Maryland is assign
ed. The announcement that the
MARYLAND Is the winner will be post
ed on all ships. and will be read by
Captain Thomas. together with the
Departments congratulations. to the
officers and men of the ship. The gun
crew. whose names are not yet made
public. are especially commended.
Rear-Adimral Charles NJ. Thomas.
Ommandcrin-chief of the Atlantic
feet. was telegraped instructions by
Acting-Secretary Newberry today.
directing him to transfer the trophy,
now in possession of the Illinois, COM
manded by Cap. John NJ. Bowyer, to
Rear Admiral Dayton. commandment
chief OF the Pacific feet. by him to be
handed to Captain Thomas. Of the
Maryland.
The compution CT the final merit
of the vessels Of the battleshfp class.
which includes an ships hayisg-tRr-
ret guns. was completed today by
Commander Sims and his assistant
inspectors of target practice after con-
siderable dificulty. because Of the
very close scores made by a number
Of the battleships. The Illinois was
close second to the Maryland. the
former eQualing her record of last
year. The star ships. including the
vessels having SIS per cent. or more
Of the score of the trophy winner.
are as follows. in the order Of merit:
Illinois. Kentucky. Virginia. Louisi-
ana. Alabama, Connecticut and Ten
nessee.
Not only Is the Maryland's victory
victory OF the armored cruiser over
the battleship. but also a victory Of
the Pacific feet. over the Atlantic
fleet The MARYLAND was far ahead
Ct any other ship Of her class and
or any other ship in her feet. for
the Tennessee was the only other
armored cruiser to make q score
bringing her into the list Of stars"
All the other stars" were battle
ships Of the Atlantic feet, which
made the journey around South Amer
lea. The standing OF the remaining
vessels OF the battleship class are a.
follows, In the order Of their merit:
NSUubOStAs "bs90Co&SAA- CWooy Nousoy
West Virginia, Rhode Island. Wash
ington. KearsarEe. New Jersey. Geor-
sia. Kansas. Missouri. Maine and
Ohio.
The Maryland had her gunwork
carly in March, the Pacific feet finish
ing IN Magdalena Bay just before the
arrival Of the Atlantic feet The re-
suit vas not determined tiIl this time.
for The reason that the reports Of a
number Of vessels had been delayed.
the last one reaching the department
only this week.
The result Of the competition in
the cruiser. gunboat and torpedo boat
Clesscs cannot be announced ut pre-
sent. rs all Of the records have NOT
vet been received Upcfhcial re-
porfs. however. Indicate that the con-
vcrtcd cruiser Albany, also 81 the Pa
cifc feet. WIN In her class.
The Maryland ca1ics Is guns over
four inches. there being two 1o-inch
Suus in each of the two turrcfs.
These are the guns that made the
record. The Msyland's disDssce-
mont Is 1850 tons. her length So
fec, and tcsm So feet sk inches.
csmesNv 81 Hes6s TsN1st HseesY.
WASHINGTON. n. C.. May Is
Capt. I. 8. Chspr>scar. commanding
the Nipcfy.Rrsf company Of coast ar
tiIlery. has bccn recommended for
spcciaI Commemorative by Rrig. Gen.
Arthur Murray. chief Of artillery. for
The excellent work made ny his com.
paay NJ target practice recently.
every shot out Of SIX scoring . hit.
Tue commendassca will b. Issued
shortly by TIE secretary q var.
oaee evew embrscsd.
DO 700 ever mce; Dr.. Rysoad!
-Of.eu. Hc and I-cr-Hre throws