Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-06-27
cUNNERS OF NAVY
SKATER TARGETS
Report Shows STEADY Improve
mant IN Workmanship.
ARE READY FOR THE ENEMY


Admiral Mayo, Commander In chisf.
Praises Spirit and Loyalty Of on
Gers and c-sws-Many ships Ar
Now on Active Duty, but Time le
Taken For practices.
Improvement in craftsmanship Of the
navy Is reported by Admiral Henry T..
Mayo, commander IN chief Of the At
lantic fleet. The report to Secretary
Daniels summarized Is:
Marked increase in the rapidity Of
fire and a reasonably satisfactory In
crease in accuracy.
Progress in the ability and confidence
Of the personnel to prepare for. main
tain and control the fire Of the differ
ent batteries under varying conditions.
The following extracts from the re-
ports show the efforts which have been
and are being made to improve the
battle efficiency Of the feet:
More seems to have been accom-
pbshed during the last ginhery year
than ever before with less effort. which
stands to prove that present methods,
while not complete or perfect, are fun
damentally sound.
THE fleet during the last year has
passed through the usual experience
and conditions OF a gunnery year, al
though on the whole 1t must be said
that conditions affecting gunnery train
ing have materially improved.
1T Is impossible to allow uninter-
rupted periods Of training for target
practice a. time when vessels may
be ready for an instant's call to go into
action, and If vessel is kept In train
ing. with a full realization OF such con-
target practice ut any time without
fear OF poor performance. Excellent
training can be had when passing
lights. buoys or vessels at sea.
pestroyers Dangerous Faetora
THE training that torpedo officers
have derived from the work on the
Montana is being strongly felt In the
flotilla, and the time has now arrived
when destrcyers have become danger
Gus factors TO the enemy fleet In day
as well as night engagements.
In the opinion Of the umpires the
practice was conducted in a highl,
creditable manner. considering thu
small number OF officers available ant
the duty performed by the ship as q
repair and base ship. which necessarily
limits the time used for gunnery train
ing.
The first aim Of short range prac
tice is to train officers: the second, CUR
captains and turret captains; the third
pointers; the fourth, the crews, and tn,
fifth, to perfect the material. All bu
the third can be done in smooth water
DAY individual practice is merely al
exercise of battle procedure. in which
ammunition is limited and the shil
hedged short. with certain other restric
lions, none OF which. however, inter
fere in the slightest with ordinary bat
tie procedure.
DAY action procedure is well stand
ardized now. and it Is pleasure to Ia
vite another ship during major cali
Der fire patrol drill and be able TO tel
what she is doing without asking count
less questions.
THE check telescope makes trainin;
more Interesting. due TO the final mer
its obtainahle on rehearsals. Ii is ais
instructing. as the officers get familia
with the returns and computations dur
ing training periods.
Cruising pointing is done ON a tar
get on another ship. and the force an
division commanders make 1t point Z
give every ship opportunity for point
ing.
The gun captains were utilized TO
marked degree In training the othe
units of their crew. and the work wa
very efficient.
The commander In chief has watch
ed with great pleasure TIE stead
growth In the efficiency of the fleet
and he takes this opportunity Of c1
tending TO the officers and men of d
feet his appreciation of their loyal SUI
port and assistance. and he is confidei
that the entire feet will be ready
the near future to render valuable serv
ice on the scene Of active operations
the same spirit as these units of tn
feet which already have responde
quickly and effectively to the suddc
call for active service against the er
envy"