COMMENDED ESSAY, 1897 . 
363 
difference of powder, and one D.R.F. only available. A moments 
thought as to what would have to be done under these conditions, shows 
how impossible it would be for the B.C. to see to minute corrections of 
range, besides his more important duties of supervising his command, 
even supposing it possible for him to carry on at all with the one 
instrument, which is more than doubtful, as he would have to employ 
several dials, each with a different reading. 
In drill this difficulty is not brought home to us, and as an illustration, 
one might quote the manning of a certain fort on the south coast which 
took place not very long ago. They had one D.R.F. only, and ranges 
had to be passed to four groups of 9" R.M.L., two of 10" R.M.L., and one 
of 64 prs. Of course all went very smoothly and everyone was very 
pleased ; but what would have happened at practice supposing 100 yards 
difference in shooting between some of the groups ? 
It would certainly be far better to have one D.R.F. to every group, 
and let each correct independently, at all events if the groups are not of 
the same nature of gun. 
If an observer can be trusted to correct with P.F., surely he could be 
trained equally well to correct with D.R.F., especially now that a 
reliable instrument has been introduced. In this manner we would 
greatly assimilate the different methods of wmrking a group, more 
nearly represent service conditions, and any officer with a very little 
training could become an efficient B.C., who could direct and observe 
his fire from several groups at the same time, and would really have 
just as much control over his observers as if he were in the D.R.F. 
emplacement. 
The system adopted for P.F. instruments can very well be followed 
by D.R.F.’s. 
The B.C. gives the approximate correction for each group, allowing 
for powder and travel ; the allowance to give for powder can only be 
judged by its age, unless a trial shot can be fired at a known range ; 
that for travel can be judged quite near enough, especially if the B.C. 
has had a little practice at drill in noting the movements of vessels and 
comparing them with drum corrections. For the purpose of training 
the B.C. to make a correct estimate, tables of some form or other are 
invaluable, at drill. 
The first shot being fired, the drum reader notes the range and the 
observer runs on to the splash ; the reading is taken, and the difference 
should be the amount over or short; the drum reader calls out, say, 
“ Correct for 50 over,” when the dial number makes the necessary 
correction. 
If clock dials are used the dial number must keep a note of the 
various corrections, and see that his dial is reading so much more or 
less than the range called out by the drum reader. For example : B.C.’s 
correction for powder, travel, etc. ... ... +150 
Correct for 50 over... ... — 50 
+ 100 
For service conditions the clock dial is not a very good adjunct, for, Range- 
to be clearly visible, it has generally to be placed in a conspicuous posi- indlcators - 
tion, where it might become exposed to the enemy’s fire ; it is often 
impossible to see it owing to smoke ; mistakes are apt to occur in 
reading it if at any distance, and at night it is difficult to illuminate ; 
■ but the greatest disadvantage of all is that the G.G.C. has to more or less 
