The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-05-05
A NEEDED SCHOOL
OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
BY JOHN r. cox IN THE MAY
NUMBER POPULAR ME-
CHANICS.

cation of winthrop, Md. A bold
headland jutting on the Potomac
River, between two of its tributaries
it attracts little notice from the
thousands of passengers on that
picturesque stream. two-and-a-half
hour sail below Washington. Yet,
despite its modest position in the
atlas, Winthrop is a significant fac
tor in our system of military effecti-
veness, for 1t is the base of small
arms craftsmanship of the United
States Navy and Marine Corps.
Winthrop derives its name from
former assistant secretary of the
navy, Beekman Winthrop, who did
much to encourage the promotion of
small-arms shooting in the marine
corps. The tract, comprising LOO
acres, was formerly known by the
uneuphonious name of Stump's Neck,
but since it has been given the dignity
of a government station, ii is official
ly designated as the Marine Rifle
Range, Winthrop. Its isolation af-
fords ideal facilities for the work In
which it is engaged.
Every newly enlisted man in the
eastern division of the marine corps
must undergo the course at Winth-
rop, and qualify before he is assign
ed to general service. AS these re-
cruits mostly come from the interior
with little or no previous experience
with the rife, they have a great deal
to learn; but two weeks of intensive
instruction works wonders with them
and they are sent to marine detach
ments with an excellent working
knowledge of the use of small arms,
and no longer "gun-shy."
But Winthrop is not merely a rifle
range. 1t is also school for coaches
in rifle and revolver shooting; and it
is there that the foundation is laid
for small-arms practice in both the
sea-going services of the United
States fighting force. Sailors, from
chief petty officer to ordinary seaman,
are detailed from naval vessels in
squads of ten men each during per-
iods when they can best be spared
from their respective ships without
interference with the ships work.
But the activities at Winthrop are
not confined to the instruction of
marine recruits and the education of
small-arms coaches. The range is
open to all who desire to learn to
shoot, and civilians are welcomed
if they evince a sufficient interest in
the serious business in which the
station is engaged. High-school cad
cts, militimen, shooting clubs, and
other organizations, as well as indi-
vidual citizens, may go to Winthrop
and be instructed in the art of shoot
ing. They are assigned coaches who
teach them how to handle the rifle
and revolver, and they fire the reg
ular courses. They are supplied with
guns and accessories for shooting;
more than that, they are equipped
with shooting clothes, and are even
given a nominal pay of 80 cents a
day, with tent, mattress, and blank
cts free. This feature of Winthrop is
already attracting the attention of
the young men of Washington. and it
is predicted that by next season there
will be no lack of applicants for the
privilege which the range affords.
The training of civilians to shoot is
in a sense experimental, but if it
proves popular, as it now promises,
the work will probably be extended.
The routine of instruction at Winth-
rop is very simple The men attend
school daily except Sundays and legal |
A regular program of less
ons is followed, covering navy small |
arms firing regulations, the marine |
corps and army textbooks. The prac- |
teal school work includes, among |
other things, the task of taking apart |
and putting together. under instruc-
tors, the parts of rifles. automatic |
pistols, machine guns, and 3-in. field |
guns.
Sailors under instruction shoot not |
only the regular disqualification |
courses, but also those of the army, |
with pistol. machine gun, collective |
fire, national-match course, long |
range firing. etc. They perform all |
coaching in navy courses, even when |
the marines fire, and they are also
sometimes employed in coaching in
the army courses.
FIRST" EXHIBIT