489 
PRACTICE SEAWARDS. 
— BY - 
CAPTAIN J. H. MANSELL, R.4. 
In the past the peace target of Garrison Artillery was the anchored 
barrel. This target was a fair representation of the conditions of at¬ 
tack in the days of sailing ships, which generally anchored and bom¬ 
barded. It was continued long after the introduction of steam and was 
the immediate precursor of our present moving targets. The old barrel 
served its purpose but was continued far too long ! Has not the mov¬ 
ing target, under the conditions now laid down for its use, fulfilled its 
purpose ? I think that it has, and that the conditions may be altered 
so as to more nearly assimilate our peace targets to the most difficult 
ones we shall get in war. 
What are the present conditions; the target is towed backwards 
and forwards in front of the guns at an average range of 2,000 
yards, and at a speed of some ten knots. This is a fair representation 
of deliberate bombardment. But there is another and more difficult 
attack we may have to meet—the running past attack! If we can 
stop the runner past we shall surely hit the slow circling bombarder. 
For some years officers have realised the increased difficulties of 
meeting the running past attack, and to prepare for it have raised 
their voices for a faster target. I don't think a faster target is an 
absolute necessity, but we must alter our conditions. 
How does the speed of the target affect us ? To study this I will re¬ 
solve it into its two components; the one at right angles to the line 
of fire—angular speed ; the other along the line of fire—rate of change 
of range. 
Angular Speed. —This does not affect the B.C.; he has merely to 
order more deflection. It does not affect the G.G.C. It does affect 
the gun layer in the highest degreee, and in a minor degree the 
range takers, as they have to traverse more quickly. A gun layer 
who has only laid on ten knot boats at 2,000 yards can have no con¬ 
ception of how to keep ahead of thirty knot destroyers. But, if we 
9. VOL. xxv. 
