336 
GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1897 . 
carried out <l with a view to the requirements of actual warfare ” until 
such conditions are abolished.* 
There are two possible solutions of the difficulty, viz., practice 
batteries in unfrequented waters, and bye-laws under the Artillery 
Ranges Act. A judicious combination of the two might effect great 
improvements. 
Practice batteries should be constructed at as many stations as 
possible, and should be in waters fairly clear of shipping, which are 
generally to be found adjacent to a fortress, but for obvious reasons 
do not exist in front of its defences. They should be armed with 
from two to four guns of modern type, arranged so as to be capable of 
working as two groups under a battery commander. The most suitable 
gun appears to be the 5-inch B.L., of which it is believed a large 
number on Vavasseur mountings are lying idle in the hands of the 
Admiralty. The ammunition is cheap, consequently a comparatively 
large number of rounds would be available. Even should the scale be 
reduced, ten rounds fired under such an approach to service conditions 
of continuity as would then be possible are worth twice that number 
expended in driblets, as is too often the case now. The batteries 
should be available for use by Militia during their training, and by 
Volunteers at all times. By their help a true understanding of what 
“ fire discipline” implies could be instilled into the minds of all 
branches and all ranks of the Coast Artillery. 
But it would not do to rely on such practice alone. At all stations 
if possible, in any case at all important fortresses, power should be 
granted to close the ranges during certain restricted periods; for 
example, for any four days during the months of August and Sep¬ 
tember, and for not more than four hours in any one day—the time 
of year being of course chosen so as to interfere least with the 
special pursuits of the particular locality, and if possible to coincide 
with the training of the Militia and the annual camp or practice of 
the Volunteers allotted to the defences, who should undoubtedly be 
present. All works should be manned simultaneously, and as com¬ 
pletely as the numbers available allow. The greatest difficulty in 
carrying out service practice (in its true sense) would thus be removed. 
Even if such facilities for practice were afforded once only in several 
years a great stride would have been made towards efficiency. These 
remarks apply equally to practice from the heavier quick-firing guns, 
which together with high-angle fire guns should be included in the 
combined practice. During the practice the troops should be quartered, 
allotted to guns, supplied, and equipped as they would be in war. In 
drawing up schemes for practice, determining courses of targets, etc., 
the tactical conditions of the particular locality and the natures of 
attack to which it is most liable should be kept in view. Such prac¬ 
tice alone can thoroughly test the fighting organization of the defences, 
the communications, etc., or give the fire commanders proper oppor¬ 
tunities of rehearsing their duties. It is more than possible that some 
of those refinements of detail which have rather tended to increase 
and multiply in the artificial atmosphere produced by present conditions 
would disappear under its healthy influence. 
* See Report of School of Gunnery, 1896, Part 1, paragraph 25 (e). 
