COMMENDED ESSAY, 1897 . 
369 
being himself replaced by a G.C., and so on down the chain of command. 
If possible, there should be reserve gun layers to take the place of any 
at the guns, for in action these would be the most exposed men, and 
more liable to casualties than anyone else. The target employed should 
be a light one or double Hong Kong, advancing as rapidly as possible 
and at as great an angle as is consistent with safety, so that the ranges 
may vary quickly. Careful observation of the rounds should be made 
from the tug, for which purpose a reliable instrument should be 
provided ; something in the form of two arms with straight edge sights, 
standing upon a tripod, and set to the length of the tow line, so arranged 
that if one were kept on the target and the other turned on to the splash, 
the included angle would show the yards over or short on an arc scale, 
would probably meet our requirements. 
After each days practice, the B.C. should let all concerned know the 
result of the firing, criticise any mistakes made, and point out the 
probable effect on the enemy’s ship. By doing this, the detachments 
will take a far keener interest in their work than if they are merely 
employed to load and fire the guns, without knowing the object 
represented or the result obtained. 
The last item in the week’s programme should be the “ competitive,” 
and a marked difference ought to be made between this and the pre¬ 
vious practice which, as before stated, should be chiefly for the purpose 
of training all concerned in “ fire discipline.” “ Competitive ” should 
be the test for accuracy, consistent of course with fairly rapid fire. 
The target being probably a record one, no very great and rapid 
variations of range need be anticipated and the dials would read to 
25’s. The B.C. should himself be at his D.R.F., if it is used, and correct 
his fire. The powder should if possible be of same date as that used 
previously, so that its shooting error may be known. The groups should 
be selected, having guns of the same nature, so that the corrections may 
be suitable to all. The B.C. would have time to calculate his range and 
deflection for the first round, and should carry out all future corrections 
himself. He might, if he prefers, depute the line correction to his 
G.C.C.’s, for reasons previously stated. 
The G.G.C.’s should make accurate corrections for displacement, the 
arcs being marked in 25’s, and the firing must be fairly deliberate, the 
target being taken to represent a ship steaming about slowly and bom¬ 
barding the forts at medium range, and the object to hit her in a 
particular vulnerable spot with armour-piercing shot. 
The custom of firing a series the day before, exactly similar to the 
competitive, is greatly to be deprecated. A company has little enough 
ammunition under the most favourable circumstances, and if thirty-two 
rounds are swallowed up by ante-competitive and competitive series, 
there is very little left for firing at a rapidly-moving target, which is 
really what our attention should be chiefly devoted to. 
One day or more in the year should be given up to “ combined prac¬ 
tice,” the time being chosen according to circumstances, but if possible 
after the companies have completed their firing and returned from 
practice camps or schools of instruction. If the Militia are out for 
training or the Volunteers available, a certain number of works, which 
would be allotted to them on mobilisation, should be manned by these 
forces. In every case an attempt should be made to have all ranks 
working in the places they would occupy in time of war. 
Before the day appointed for practice the whole of the works should 
Competitive. 
Combined 
practice. 
