The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-05
nv rnEpEnIC }. IIAsKIN.

with the arrival this week of the
Atlantic fleet IN Magdalena Bay for
a months target practice, there comes
revival OF interest In the increased
excellence OF craftsmanship in the
American navy for that mnrkspan-
ship has already made us the envy OF
the world. The Pacific fleet prnc-
tlcing for the past month. mace IT'S
records. and gave way to the sixteen
oattleshps rs ana iYe srsled south Amer
len on their WY to the Western seas.
soon the world will see the largest
aggregation of war vessels at work at
practice shooting that II has ever seen,
good jesuit Fatherss apostles of peace,
tried three and half centuries ago
to reclaim for the uses of mankind
with berry and vine. with cross and
d i,i of the .'reeking tubes" of the
apostles of war
American and Mexican thrift saw
early tho possibilities for revenue in
such an interesting event, and while
dressed a letter to the Secretary of
the Navy, asking his opinion on run
ming n line OF excursion steamers
down from San Francisco to see the
target practice. a Mexican line did not
walt, but proceeded to get. out It's
circulars and make Its plans for hand
ling a large crowd out from Guayamas
to Magdalena Bay. About the coaling
station a tent city has arisen. and
with saloons and gambling outfits, Is
ready for business.
The West Virginia, Maryland, Penn
sylvania and Colorado began practice
there early last month. There was
night firing at record target practice,
carried on for the first time this year,
and, as proof OF the ever GROWING
proficiency, 1t is stated that the hits
at night were greater than those by
daylight of last year. The Tennessee
and Washington were first In the field.
and an interesting feature of their
practice is that ten-inch guns were
used for the first time In. recent years.
The speed of these guns has not yet
been determined, whether nearer that
OF the four or ten-inch guns. The
Tennessee made the record Of an aver
age of nearly two hits per minute, n
record greater than that of any pre-
vivus score of ships. with twelve or
thirteen-inch guns. though individual
guns have made this record before.
This has set q lively pace for other
ships to follow.
the Maryland has made there two
worlds records. with her th=ee-inch
and six-inch guns. out of 1855 shots
per minute. with her three-inch guns,
she made 1886 hits per minute. With
her six-inch guns. she made an aver
age of $40 hits out OF possible 1912;
records. and the highest score among
all ships. This marked increase made
at Magdalena Bay in hits made by
sis and eight-inch guns in the past
month, is more marked from the fact
that conditions are severer this year
than last.
There are four trophies to be con
tested for. These were provided for
by order of the President to promote
greater interest in target practice. and
for four years the bronze plaques that
represent the annual prizes have been
proudly borne by the successful con-
testants of the four classes into which,
for this purpose. the President d.
battleships Is large bronze plaque.
two feet by eighteen Inches In size.
showing in low relief battleship at
target practice. This Is the work OF
cied by the Illinois. though the Oregon
carried 1t the first two years in which
1t was contested for and the Wiscon-
| sin the. third year. The trophy for
one for the battleships, and shows a
Henry Reuterdahl of New York. de-
signed this. and at present 1t is proud
| ly borne by the Boston, though the
Raleigh was the first to carry It.
| The gunboat trophy. now carried by
| the Princeton, is the work OF the
Gorl!am Company, of New York. show
| ing IN DaS-rellet Il fouf-fncN gun, with
| inscription and decora ton. The F'rolfc
was the first winner of this trophy
| in 1906. The torpedo-boat destroyer
| trophy is now in possession of the
| Preblc. and Is also after design by
| Reuterdahl, representing a torpedo
! OF these plaques Is the Inscription:
| Trophy for excellence In naval gun
merry. Presented by direction of the
| President of the United States to the
| va al n he terH t.,
! her class at the annual record large,
practice" Each year the name of the
| winning ship is engraved on the
| trophy.
This year, to these trophies will be
added cup given by the patriotic
| citizens OF Spokane, to be competed
| for by the Atlantic fleet when visiting
| In Pacific waters. At the suggestion
I Of the Secretary Of the Navy, this
| trophy will be awarded the battlcshir
| or nrIuored cruiser making the highest