492 
PRACTICE SEAWARDS. 
the chance of the lottery laid down for the 1st series does not 
exist. As the chances of casualties now exist for both series, 
this difference is not so great as it appears. 
At present then the competitive mainly tests gun layers and B.C/s, 
and these at a ten knot target at 2,000 yards. General training must 
have a tendency to follow this lead. 
If we wish to direct attention to other points which appear to have 
increased in importance, accepting the proposition that running past 
is a probable, and the most difficult form of attack to meet, then we 
must alter the conditions of the competitive. 
Briefly the lines I would suggest for the competitive are :— 
1. Drill series as at present. 
2. Drill series with a ship coming straight at the guns. A false 
height to be put on the range finder, when possible, to in¬ 
crease the apparent speed. Two rounds per gun to be fired, 
one round by “ ordinary fire ” and one round by salvo fire.” 
The umpires to check the elevation given to the guns with 
the ranges shown on the dials. A time limit to be laid down. 
3. A service series with target going across the guns as at present, 
but ranges not to exceed 1,000 yards. Eight rounds* to be 
fired with a time limit. 
4. 2nd service series. The target to be run in towards the guns 
as I have explained. Sixteen rounds* allowed. If the range 
is clear, the company to fire as many rounds as it can get 
off on the run, with the proviso that present time limits are 
not exceeded. 
5. 3rd service series. The target to run out at an angle to the 
guns, say from a range of 1,800 yards to 2,500 yards. 
Eight rounds* allowed. A time limit to be laid down. 
The above only considers the question of fighting with the D.R.F. 
as at present. I do not attempt to touch the broader aspect of 
whether fighting by P.F., case II and case III should not be included 
in our competitive. Other details, such as whether the lottery in 
Series II should be retained now casualties are introduced, etc. sug¬ 
gest themselves. But all these are outside the purpose of this paper, 
which is merely to indicate the broad outlines of a change, I would 
suggest, in our methods of conducting Practice Seawards. 
* These numbers refer to practice 'with 9" R.M.L. guns. They would have the same relative 
proportions if the competitive were carried out from a different nature of gun, having a different 
allowance of ammunition. 
Note.—T his paper was written early in the spring of 1898; its publication has been 
unavoidably delayed to this late date much to the regret of the Committee R.A.I.—A. J.A. 
