Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1921-07-01
TOLEDO PLATOON HOME
FROM ENCAMPMENT

| Last evening the Bird Co. C. A. c.,
n. G. returned from tho annual sum-
mer enca-np-nent at Fort Stevens,
where the b3ys have been sirce the
14th OF June, receiving .icld and bat
J by all, many new experiences AMI
, much benefit was derived by
the training on the 3y-o big ten-inch
disappearing guns of Battery Russell
which were turned ov 4r to the Guards
for instruction purposes by the Reg
ulars stationed there.
The first part Of the training was
devoted to tracking target, sighting
the guns, loadi1g and firing with
dummy ammunition until the men be
came familiar with the routine Of the
battery and were quick and accurate
in all of their various duties-the
success of the whole depending upon
each individual doing his part we'll.
This practice was done by day and at
night by aid Of powerful searchlights
which swept the ocean and skyline.
Second came what is known as
"sub-caliber" practice. A cne inch
barrel was placed within the breech
CT the large ten inch guns and in this
manner experience was gained with a
great reduction in expense due to the
difference in the one inch and ten
inch projectiles and powder charges.
Third and last came the actual big
gun firing. The powder charge for
one shot weighed 1877 lbs. and the pro-
jectile weighed GIG lbs. When in
the firing position or Gin battery" the
muzzle of the gun is above the par
apt but when the gun is fired the
force of the recOil causes 1t to dis
appear down behind the parapit into
the loading position. When ready to
fire again 1t is raised by counter
weights. The target was between
three and FIVE miles from the battery
on the ocean, towed by a tug. 1t was
made OF canvas on frame ten feet
square. Four rounds of Service" am
muElti were fired, one being a trial
shot and three Of them record shots.
All four shots were direct hits. How
ever the 3rd Co. lost the cup by a
narrow margin of 3 yards-the Albany
Co. making the nearest shot.
While at Fort Stevens the boys
spent one day on the rifle range and
had target shooting, showing good
craftsmanship, Corp. Lockwood max
ing ihe highest score and many others
of the platoon coming close after in
number of points won. Nearly every
man made at least one bulls eye.
Friday, the oath, Governor Olcott
was at Fort Stevens and The troops
were marched in review; and We'd
nesday the 30th while enroute home.
the Guards were paraded in Portland
and were greeted with much applause
by the people of that city
While at camp several promotions
were made. AS Lieut. Rice was not
in position to go with the pla,oon,
due to State Highway work, he re-
signed his commission and DR.. l.. Hoyt
Brown (SergeanD was elected to fill
the resulting vacancy. The non COM
missioned officers were all advanced
and several new ones we're made.
Serg. Hayden succeeded Serg. Brown
and Corp Johnston was made a SER
geant A number Of privates received
the rank Of first class" The names
are not available at this time but will
be published later
While at Fort Stevens the Toledo
platoon was :aken as a model by other
Guard companies to show how the bar
racks should be kept, etc. Much credit
is due the platoon for the good show
ing and with such a short period of
training.
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