184 
COAST DEFENCE. 
preparation for war under modern conditions. The standing target has 
done its work, but the time has come to put it away with the bows and 
arrows with which it had its origin. All our efforts are directed 
towards obtaining faster and still faster targets. 
We read that at Wei-hai-wai the Chinese gunners in the forts, at 
ranges of 2400 yards, were unable to hit the Japanese vessels moving 
at a high rate of speed. It is a lesson for us all that we should do well 
to lay to heart. The difficulties of making good practice at a really 
fast-moving target have not, I fear, been thoroughly appreciated. Let 
us hope that when we first realize these difficulties it may be at peace 
practice, and then only to overcome them. Every device that may 
possibly assist us in this direction should be welcomed and used, 
especially those contrivances whose action is automatic. 
In cases such as that instanced by Wei-hai-wai, ranging, as we know 
it, is out of the question. A ship crosses the sector of fire so rapidly 
under service conditions, that if we could get off two salvoes at the same 
craft we should be lucky. Abroad this has been recognized, and 
means are provided to enable a battery commander to estimate with 
fairy accuracy how many salvoes he would be able to get off at the 
same target as she crosses his sector of fire. If it comes out a doubtful 
two, he keeps his fire until the ship arrives at the shortest range, 
where the effect of his one salvo will be most likely to be accurate and 
effective. 
We want quick-firing, high-velocity guns of medium and small calibre, 
fitted with automatic sights where possible, and in all cases the 
sights should be so arranged that the gun-layer is clear of the loading 
numbers and recoil, and can follow his target during the operation of 
loading. 
(The best material is, however, of little use unless the personnel is 
perfectly trained in its minutest detail.) We further want a good 
B.L. howitzer of nine or ten inch calibre for high-angle fire ; we want 
faster targets and smarter drill. 
Everything in these days tends to pace. Of late we have read 
quotations from King John that are no doubt very apt and desirable in 
that they are patriotic. 1 If, however, we must quote from that play, 
let us say with “ Philip,” “ The spirit of the time shall teach me speed.” 
It cannot be insisted upon too much that the difficulties in solving 
the problem of good practice at fast targets are very great—greater, 
perhaps, than many have imagined who have given the subject 
thought. Where difficulties are great the means to overcome them 
are not usually simple. We must face the difficulties, and by constant 
drill and practice become familiar with the various rules and methods 
that the Drill Book gives. To do this it is not necessary to be a 
mathematician, as some aver. Coast artillery fire discipline is now, 
owing to these conditions, an art that cannot be taken up one day 
and dropped the next. It is a special study. 
On the other hand, there is no doubt a tendency, observable in all 
1 Vide Punch , 
