New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-06

I breaches in parallel direction the target
raft. about two miles distant, which Is
being towed on the "starboard hand by
a tug at speed of five knots. When in
the proper position the last ship OF the
division sheers 10 starboard and continues
its speed while the three other ships re-
duce their speed to five knots.
The firing ship approaches the range,
which is considered to have been entered
when the targets bear 271a degrees for
ward of the starboard beam. The range
being only 1900 yards, the firing ship
comes up between the target and the re-
nainder OF the division. The attention
of every one is concentrated on both the
ship and the target.
Having entered the range. four red sig
nal lights are flashed and short blast OF
the whistle indicates that the order
Commence firing has been given from
the bridge. There Is sudden nash or
n lurid silver hue that seems to spill out
of the muzzle of the gun, and almost In
stantly a cloud Of white spune and spray
rises. mountain high, In tho rear Of the
target.
If your binoculars are good and you
are not too excited, you Will observe q
tiny hole In the canvas screen which has
been the objective OF the gun-pointer, for
a hit Is scored.
The leading ships of the division having
reduced their speed, the firing ship grad
ually overtakes them. and as she passes
a picture is presented that defles ade-
auate description. Silhouetted against
the beams Of her own searchlights
of many thousand candle power, this
gray-boded monster seems TO be exactly
what she is-a grim, determined instru-
ment OF death. The picture Is impress
sive, fascinating. If one should attempt
to depict on canvas graphic impress
sion of this inspiring scene, 1t is quite
possible that such a picture would be
considered ridiculousIy impressonistic.
THE TURN OF THE NEXT SHIP.
Having fired the required number OF
shots for that run, the firing ship turns
| to starooard and goes nearer the tar
| aets. SO that the umpires and spoilers
may observe at shorter range the results
of the firing. This having been done. II
: takes IFS position at the head OF the
/ column. the targets are repaired, and new
! screens stretched on the booms by repair
parties, In the small Boats that are towed
by tug, about three hundred yards astern
Of the targets. The necessary repairs
completed, the towing ship signals that
all is in readiness for the next run,
| which happens TO be the ship the writer
is on.
Approaching the range as indicated for
the preceding ship, the bridge, occupied
by the captain and navigating officer, IL
an interesting spot. Beginning well astern
OF the target, the captain will frequently
be heard 20 command Stand by" After
an interval of few seconds he further
commands Report" The quartermaster
reading the compass, reports the bearing
which indicates the number Of degrees
,the target may be forward of the beam
simultaneously an officer at the range
finder reports with absolute accuracy the
number Of yards of open water between
the ship and the target raft. BY ADJUST
ing his course with these data as a guide
the ship is brought into the exact posi-
ton defined by regulations as the begin
ming OF the ranges In the mean time the
targets have been picked up by the
searchlights, and one Is inclined TO fee
somewhat sorry for their seeming white
innocence in view OF what will soor
happen to them.