PRACTICE SEAWARDS. 
491 
Suppose we use 600 yards of tow rope. 
At 3,000 yards range we must have a 
clear 300 yards (y^th the range) between 
the towing ship and the target. In the 
figure let G represent the gun, B the 
towing ship, G the target. Then B G, 
the tow rope, = 600 yards. If G G is a 
range of 3,000 yards, A B must = 300 
yards for safety. We thus see that 
under the above conditions our ship can 
run in at an angle G G D, to the guns 
whose sine = ^-| = fgg = £ or G GD 
= 30°. As the range decreases the 
size of AB for safety decreases, the ship 
could therefore bend more towards the 
guns. 
Suppose she keeps on the straight 
course G B _D, which is preferable. 
When she arrives at D—G D being per¬ 
pendicular to G B D—the range GI) is 
1,500 yards, and the an<Je the guns 
have trained through (G G D) is 60°. 
After this point D the range would in¬ 
crease if she kept on a steady course. 
G D is equal to 2,800 yards. The speed 
of the ship with 600 yards of tow rope would not I think exceed 
eight knots. Say it is eight knots—the time from G to D would be 
ten minutes. Now the time limit in the competitive for sixteen 
rounds from 4, 9" R.M.L. guns in two groups is eleven minutes. 
Given a clear range, then, sixteen rounds would be got off on the one 
run by a smart company. The range will have altered from 3,000 to 
1,500 yards, and both range takers and B.C.'s will gain great ex¬ 
perience. Even if we get faster targets we must surely run them 
like this to prepare for the running past attack. 
To sum up. The condions laid down for competitive practice give 
the lines on which B.CJ.'s work, and to attain perfection at which the 
greater part of their energy must be directed. Beyond testing the 
general drill of detachments, what does the present competitive test. ? 
1. The drill series tests the accuracy and smartness of gun layers 
in a measure. 
2. The 1st service series tests the gun layers, it also tests the B.C.'s 
powers of observation of fire. It is practically no test of range 
takers, the range varies so little. Owing to small total change 
of range, and therefore excessively small rate of change of 
range, the smartness of G.G.C.'s is not put to a severe test. 
3. The 2nd service series, similarly, only really tests gun layers, 
and the B.C.'s observation of fire. It's chief difference from 
the 1st series is that the O.C. may select his own details and 
