74 



TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



Each catamaran consists of tliree timbers about 40 feet long 

 and 12 by 12 inches in section, braced together by iron rods 

 as shown. 



The center log supports a light wooden frame on which is 

 stretched canvas painted in black and white blocks as indi- 

 cated. 



Plan. 



Fiq. 18. 



The observation of the fall of the shot with this target is 

 very easily made. 



On page 71 reference was made to the courses in artillery 

 fire at Poitiers; the instruction at that place also includes 

 siege and fortress artillery. A course for coast artillery is 

 established for three weeks every year under similar condi- 

 tions in one of the great fortified harbors, generally at Toulon. 

 The officers designated to take this course are generally those 

 who would have a coast command in case of mobilization. 

 The battalion of foot artillery at Toulon furnishes the men for 

 this work. 



It is not believed that the instruction in target practice of 

 the French coast artillery is as efficient and up to date as that 

 of the field and (perhaps) garrison artillery. In the first 

 place, since 1871, the French have been ardently occupied in 

 perfecting their field and frontier fortress artillery, and the 

 coast artillery has generally come in for second place. The 

 events of 1898 directed more attention to the coast works, and 

 the completion of the new armament for the field artillery 

 has withdrawn a serious burden from the war budget ; there- 

 fore it is to be expected that the activity in construction of 

 the last three years is not to be dropped and other improve- 

 ments in the coast artillery will doubtless follow. 



