Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-30

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on that tow boat" vas the thought o.
the oniooker as tc looked out from
the NanakuM beach the first morning
across the blue mirror OF sea AMI
realized how short vas The tow line
than ran back from the little towing
vessel to the floating target. But
this vas before the firing comnenced.
Men were busy b.hiAd the ~ guns
with uicks and shoNeis, getting tn"
stage So fc! firing. They were work
ing fast as men would work under i
Sudden surprise from the enemy, and
10 see the gdu wheels settle around
carelessiy 10 q position that satisfied
the guaner9 gave the onlooker a feel
ing that those shells might drop just
anywhere, with little regard % the
towing vessel outside.
Loaded with snrapnei
Besides they we're TO shoot win
shrapnel, which mas the knack OF
bursting above the target and splitting
half a thousand or so little death
dealing missiles over a, wide area.
II was a quiet morning, there was
no confusion at the work. All the
gunners were keys6 to high tension.
One wondered II they weren't think
ing that maybe some extra fine work
might get them q call to France.
From the high hill back Of the guns,
ranges were being found by officers,
who telephone down TO the guns. You
heard these ranges called out down
the line back Of the gunners. The
boat was coming nearer and nearer,
but at an angle, and was moving ~
miles to the hour g:.E.
Commence firiGgi" r -,
Husky ammunition men, handy with
The big cartridges which weight some
three score and ID pounds, set Their
yhrapnel timers az the latest range
called and thrust their burdens home
within the solid breeches Of the guns.
Then with bursts of flame and
banging crashes the br0wnish-green
machines, half hidden IN the fringe
OF aIgaroba trees that line the beach,
began their work. It made one try
to fancy a BIT what the noise must De
az the front.
shooting Brings Approval
II was evident frcm the start that
Z the gunners had good sense OF the
Z range. for s1rapnel exploding straight
above the little target literally cnurn.
ed the distant water. Exclamauons OF
approval from the onlookers greeted
the shots as the smoke cleared Tom
dime 10 time above the sea
In iulls OF the firing the voice OF
officers. calling out the lessenins
ranges could be heard. S.
The sound OF q AZ gun is one not TO
be compared 20 six-lnch nor IL
inch sea coast machine. Lacking IN
volume and weight II yet has nasty
way or spanking the ear drum. Al
most. IL seems at times, as II hot
!, needle had been thrust into one 2
ear.
For 4 third OF an hour the cannon
ne continued, then suddenly the tar
yet had disappeared. Cease firing
was the order that went from man 70
man behind the guns.
Taey ceased firing Loaded cart.
ridges were pulled from the guns and
Seturned to holders Sweating and
lack faced gunners stepped back Tor
q breathing spell and looked wita
pride at the sea which they nao
cleared OF its target.
Then the officers gathered about
and big. Gen. Treat and Col. MacMa-
hon discussed with them the work OF
the morrirg. How this was good, how
that could have Seen bettefed a bit;
an this was talKed over freely. -And
here one can't refrain from telling one
OF the remarks that was overheard, It
ought to be BIT Of comfort to the
gunners.
Eve destroyed the target, and that
solves. the problem. It was good
shooting that we saw this morning.
Following this there cane q little
lesson on motor trucks. for hardly.
had the last rumble died among the
Waianae ILLS wber mp came the ca
terpiIiar tractors. dodging in and out
among the algar,ba trees to find the,
gun3 they were to trail back to camp
One by one they passed out with the
guns and tho ea.ssons. forming col.
urau That soon disappeared down the
tree fringcd road toward camp, Thir-
ty-fiye horse power and eight tons
each, they had .rUndled past with the
5 heavy cannonS without so much as
labored breathing. <.
One feels q log Of reliance In Ha,,
waits motor regiment after watching
BIT OF target practise at Nanakuli.