Evening star., 1916-08-06
Target Fire Exceptionally Good.

The tug at the fort towed the target
while ffty-seven shots were fired at
ranges varying from 1000 to 1000 yards
The result of the firing was pronounced
exceptionally good by Capt A. C.
Thompson, instructor-inspector of the
company. One of the sergeants from
the post took the splashes" of the
shots from the tug and reported that
all but seven were hits"
The firing was conducted by Capt
Walter W. Burns, battery commander:
First Lieut.. c. c. Baxter, emplacement
officer; Second Lieut. H. w Hodgkins
range officer. Sergts. George A Wold
and James F. Pierce alternated as gun
commander. and Sergt. James A. Ryan
was gun pointer.
The latter part Of the week was spent
in powder blending for service firing
when the guns were fred with the same
powder charge and projectile that
would be used in time of war. Only
four shots were allowed, three for trial
and one for record. The range on this
practice was four miles.
The trial shots were to determine the
muzzle velocity of the gun, as powder
varies in strength according to it's age.
and to locate the target for the record
shot The target is usually bracket
ed by firing one shot over and one
short and by the telescope sights de-
termining how far each fell from the
target
During the firing the gun crew
worked with the smoothness of routine
drill, although this was the first time
that 1t had fired full charges from the
gun. Every shot fell directly in line
with the target, and the result was
pronounced by artillery officers who
witnessed the shots as worthy of the
highest praise.
Examinations for Vacancies.
1t is the plan of Capt. Thompson to
have the men acquainted with each DO
sition around the guns and in the plot
ting room so that they will be qualified
to takes officers positions when called
upon to do so.
Examinations were held to nll va
ings. Leslie w. Teller was given a
practical examination in wireless teleg-
raphy, which he passed. He was given
the rating Of radio sergeant. Privates
D. L. Dutton, H. H. Dutton, y. S. Meese
and c. A. Rowley were given acting
appointments as corporals. Sergt James
F. Pierce and Private E. v. Griggs re-
ceived certificates as master gunner
respectively. as a result Of written ex-
aminations held by the War Depart
ment last May.
The staff of officers, both commissions
ed and non-commissioned. is now com
Burns. First Lieut. Chester C. Baxter,
Second Lieut.. Howard w. Hodgkins.
First Sergt. Newell B. Grain, Sergts.
James =. Pierce. Allen B: Campheld.
George A. wold. Richard S. Doyle and
Clarence S. Shields: Corps. Paul j.
Hunt. 3. c. Cruickshanks. John J. Rein
hardt, Donald L. Dutton. Harold II.
Dutton, Norman s. Meese and c. A
nj
and Raymond o. Eliason; special on
GERS. Radio sergt. Leslie W. Teller and
Electrician Sergt- e. v. Griggs.
Company Notes.
The nrst subcaIiber shot scared some
Of the men and they haven't gotten
over It yet Tho shell gave three
bounces along the surface OF tho water
and the last one nearly carried 1t on
the deck of a passing steamer.
There was always a waiting list for
.@kt,chen detail" due TO the men failing
TO realize that their officers were not
the only ones at the fort. The men
were called down for not saluting the
officers of the post and consequently
they had to assist the cook as punish
ment
Some Of the shells used by the firing
crew contained eucn olo powder tnat
several fell SO short of the mark that
sorns likened the twelve-inch rife to q
"popgun."
A shark was sighted near the fort
by some of the men. which necessitat-
ed a guard being kept while the men
took their daily plunges. When the
news was first received the gun crew
wanted 70 take its subcaliber drill i'm
nediately and TO use regular shells.
The barracks at Fort Washington
has been put in order for the COM
panys arrival for its next drill