4 NOTES ON THE ARMAMENTS OF BATTEESHIPS. 



which relate exclusively to extreme ranges and are subject to the continued 

 efficiency of comparatively delicate sights and range-finders as well as 

 apparatus for controlling gun-fire. In their judgment it is desirable to 

 associate with big guns a powerful secondary armament of quick-firing 

 guns, adequately protected and so placed as to be efficient both in horizontal 

 command and in height above water, while free from interference arising 

 from independent firing of heavy guns. 



In support of this advocacy of good secondary armaments it is stated 

 that modern types of battleships, including those on which armor defense 

 has been most developed, still contain many vulnerable points, injury to 

 which will seriously interfere with the fighting, maneuvering and steaming 

 capability, the transmission of orders from conning-towers and control 

 stations, signalling and other operations which considerably influence 

 fighting efficiency. It is noted that more than one-half of the length of 

 heavy guns is permanently exposed and unprotected. Cases have occurred 

 in action where these unprotected portions have been injured, the heavy guns 

 having been put out of action by the fire of light guns which were impotent 

 at the fighting range against armor of moderate thickness. It is also main- 

 tained that the small height above water to which the hull armor rises, 

 and the large unarmored areas of the sides above water, must involve serious 

 risks to a considerable number of recent battleships should they be subjected 

 to attack by a large number of 6-inch quick-firing guns using high-explosive 

 bursters and common shell. The "volume of fire" obtainable from such 

 quick-firing guns would, it is considered, inflict great damage to the thin 

 steel-plating above the armor, and so permit considerable quantities of 

 water to find access to the interior of the ship above the protective deck, 

 although the hull armor was left intact. Such an entry of water might 

 seriously prejudice stability or produce objectionable "list" and change 

 of trim, even if it did not pass below the protective deck; but there would 

 also be the danger of large quantities of water finding a way into hold 

 spaces and there accumulating. 



These anticipations of trouble, of consequent reduction of stability, 

 loss of maneuvering power, diminished speed and lessened mobility, are 

 treated by the other side as unlikely of fulfilment. In support of this view 

 it is urged that, although at short or moderate ranges the 6-inch gun makes 

 good practise and scores a high percentage of hits to rounds fired in com- 

 parison with the percentage attained by larger guns, yet at long ranges 

 the percentage of hits to rounds becomes comparatively small. Con- 

 sequently it is considered that injuries of the kind assumed to be produced 

 by the fire of secondary armaments are not likely to be either serious or 



