Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-16
MARINE CORPS.
Rifle Range Near Wash
ington Now Operation.
Telephone System Installed
Which Extends Over Range.
Equipped With All Latest Devices
For Developing Rifle Shooting.

this year for qualifications and the
training of the team to represent the
Marine Corps in the National Rifle
matches at Camp Perry Unless one
were familiar with the ground the
changes and Improvements made under
the direction of Capt. William c.
Harllee. u. S. NJ. G., commandment
could scarcely be appreciated. "Stumph
Neck, was the more or less euphoni-
Gus name of a stretch of land lying
some four miles down the Potomac
from Indian Head. At the latter point
is located the proving grounds for big
guns belonging to the navy, and over
Stumph> Neck hurled shells from the
four inch to twelve inch guns, to fall
into the Potomac miles below Occa-
sionally a shell dropped so near the
point as to make it very uncomfortable
for the farmer who 'eMned it, and his
complaints resulted in the acquisition
of the ground by the bureau of ord
nance OF the navy a number of years
ago. 1t comprises about 100 acres
running east and west. with Il width
varying from 80 yards between the
Mattawoman and ChicamuXen creeks
to about one mile at the eastern end.
Last year it was turned over to the
Marine Corps for rifle range and
what they have accomplished in fitting
it up is wonderful. Because Of a lack
of appropriation almost all the work
has been done by the Marine Corps
officers and men and during the winter
they occupied tents fortified with log
bases. or roughly constructed cabins.
With the opening of spring the work
was pushed until now the range is open
for business and in another year will
be model for a range of the size.
TIE line of fire is in the same direc-
ton as the longer axis of the tract
from west to east. The administration
building is located just outside the
firing line for 1000 and 1900 yards SO
that from his office the commandant
can survey the entire range. Firing
houses will be erected at the several
firing points and in addition to the
usual equipment of telephones. Offices
etc, will have commodious porches for
the accommodation of visitors who will
thus he enabled to follow the firing
throughout the matches. The first
butts will contain 80 targets, the
next 81, the next II and the last so.
IIlt numbering btlIlS III dhtoN' t'iiN Wv
butts SC located that the numbers will
in every case correspond.
II was a gigantic task with the limi-
ted appropriat ton and force available
to clear the heavy timber from the
land and level it but this has been &C
comp,shSd and the range has been
sewn in grass and oats to make lawn.
A large portion has been devoted to a
GER len which will furnish fresh veg
etables for the several messes,
telephone system has been IN
stalled which extends over the range,
TO the several buildings including the
quarters of the cGrnmandant and other
officers. and 10 Washington. In addl-
ton to qualifying as rang" builders the
officers detailed have taken up the con-
struction of good roads, farming and
q number of other courses incidental to
the work. The main range building is
1oox5o feet and contains on it's base
ment floor a large StOrcrOOm. guard
room. police store room. mess store
room. mess store room, armory store
room and work shop and clearing rack
rooms. The upper floor contains the
officers store room and living rooms
for the enlisted men permanently "e-
tailed to the range. Thc att1c Mas an
indoor gallery installed by Capt. n. N.
Y. Casey. An outdoor gallery Is pro-
yidcd in a sheltered place in the "ooos.
The mess hail now accommodates 10
men at a sitting but after july t. d
magazine will be built with quarters
ard mess hall to accommodate ~ i.e.'
at a sitting. The post is equipped WIN
an artesian we'll which gives an anipie
water supply Of excellent quality. sew
ers are being constructed ana the
range is being thoroughly drained
AS might be expected the range IS
eurinued with all the latest devices ana
appliances for developing the arr OK
,hilitary rifle shooting. Rests will be
hui,t at which all rifles will be tested
and none but those making satisfac-
ferry crouus will be used. The range IS
tagged with 6x25 pennants. neat ralise
stakes have been put in position ana
permanent marking desks ana scoi
hoards have been installed as well as
diagram blackboards of full size CIV
ing information regarding the dimeh-
sions of targets full effect of change OF
SIGHTS and showing the effect ot|such
changes
Thcre is ample ground for the
encampment Of several tiiousaiiu
troons and because OF us Access
.,,:I;t,, to washington it it not
;,,nrobahle that some DAY lie
national rifle matches will De Sno'
there In the meantime matches VIII ue
arranged between the Marine corps,
1,;strict of Columbia. Marylano anu
Virginia and possibly other states
rearhv It is also proposed that me
n.nse shall be used by the citizens OF
The District of Columbia interested III
rifle practice and for the outdoor HAT
ches Of the High School Cadets.
CAPT. Harllee viii again be eap .'
Of the Marine Corps team and Gun
merry sergt. Baptist will vet xar, as W g"nn
The marines from New YORK, wash 81,
ington philadelphia ana Noiio'A VA.
make their qualifications on the new,
rang. and the team for Inc hi''o''t''
matches will do it's preliminary pra :
| tice there.