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GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1897 . 
The first two classes need no definition. The third heading is used, 
for want of a better term, to include all guns not comprised under the 
first two. 
Quick-firing Guns of the lighter natures are provided primarily for 
dealing with very quick unarmoured targets, such as torpedo boats, but 
their use against the unarmoured parts of ships at short or medium 
ranges is also likely to prove very effective. If countermining is 
attempted they must interfere to prevent it. When mounted for 
defence against torpedo-boat attack the normal group consists of not 
less than two guns. The heavier quick-firing guns are best adapted 
to the attack of unarmoured parts of larger vessels. 
High Angle Fire Guns are especially intended for preventing, by deck 
attack, bombardment from ranges at which the ships’ side armour 
overmatches the defender’s direct fire guns. They are not intended or 
likely to be called upon to deal with vessels moving otherwise than 
very slowly. They are disposed in “ batteries ” of two or more guns, 
usually in concealed positions. 
The Direct Fire Guns are intended to encounter ships, armoured or 
unarmoured, whether anchored or under way, at all ranges within their 
effective area. Their disposal and grouping vary very considerably. 
Some are, or are to be, furnished with special case shot for use against 
torpedo-boats where channels are narrow and quick-firing guns not 
available. The lighter natures belonging to the armament for general 
defence are chiefly applicable to the defence of land fronts, or the 
resistance of attempts at landing, but might also be used as auxiliary 
to the primary armament. No definite system of fire discipline is laid 
down for these. Machine guns however are likely to be found mounted 
in conjunction with quick-firing guns,* and would then presumably 
conform to the fire tactics of the latter. 
The men for manning the above defences consist of the following:— 
For the guns—the Royal Artillery (whose numbers would be in¬ 
creased in war from the Reserve), together, at home with the Militia 
and Volunteer Artillery, and at some stations abroad with local 
artillery, and occasionally infantry. 
For the other defences—the Royal Engineers; with the exception of 
the temporary obstructions, which are managed by the Royal Navy. 
RECAPITULATION AND DEDUCTIONS. 
The elements of attack and defence, together with the circumstances 
attending their use, may now be considered collectively, and from these 
certain general requirements may be deduced as being those of actual 
warfare. The endeavour has been made in the foregoing paragraphs 
to submit as briefly as possible the fundamental considerations on 
which an enquiry into the best methods of conducting practice in 
accordance with the requirements of war must be based. But at the 
same time, in order to fully support the proposals which it is desired 
to advance, it has been necessary to carefully guard against any lack 
of clearness or completeness in the premises (which have not always 
* Amendments 1896, to G. A. Drill, Vol. i., 1895, “Service of Quick-Firing Guns for 
defence against Torpedo Boats.’ ’ 
