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COMMENDED ESSAY, 1897 . 
Q.F. GUN PRACTICE. 
Undoubtedly in the next war, the form of attack we shall have to be 
chiefly prepared for, will be sudden raids by torpedo boats and destroyers, 
and as Q.F. guns only can be used with effect against these, no trouble 
should be spared to get all who will have to use them thoroughly 
trained. 
We now, at last, have something definite laid down in the drill book 
as to the method of fighting Q.F. guns, so nothing more need be said 
about laying, ranging, etc., when using the ordinary sights ; but the 
introduction of the automatic sight, which is now an almost accomplished 
fact, will greatly simplify matters, and every gun will be able to deliver 
a really effective fire on any target pointed out. Fire direction will be 
simple, but the G.G.C. may have to order the sights to be set for height 
of tide, and estimate corrections for the travel of target during time of 
flight. 
If the guns are to be served in a really efficient manner, constant 
practice is necessary, as, unlike heavy guns, drill is very little use. 
In every company, one of the subalterns should be selected as specially 
in charge of Q.F. guns and detachments, and the N.C.O.’s and men 
should be the very best; in fact, all should look upon their being chosen 
for Q.F. guns as an honour. The subaltern selected should have the 
drilling of his detachments and carry out practice with them. 
Firing with tubes, at a moving target, should be employed to train the 
layers before practice with shell is attempted. This latter should take 
place during the week of “ company practice ” or immediately before 
or after “ combined practice,” each company in the station being 
allowed a proportion of the rounds provided. 
It is essential that the target should be a very rapid moving one. The 
“ Osborne ” is most excellent in this respect, a speed of eighteen knots 
being easily obtained, and the spray thrown up gives a very good 
representation of the bows of a torpedo boat travelling rapidly. 
Arrangements as at Shoeburyness, where the wire is wound in by a 
drum made to rotate by machinery, could only be employed in very 
few stations owing to cost of plant and the danger of the wire fouling 
shipping ; but by having the line wound in on board a tug by a winch 
or donkey engine we could multiply the rate of travel, and thus obtain 
almost any speed required without elaborate machinery and at small 
cost. 
Firing at a Brennan torpedo has been carried out as an experiment 
with success, but if allowed for ordinary practice something more 
visible than the small flag usually employed to indicate the position 
will have to be attached above water. 
It must not be forgotten that, in many instances, torpedo boats will be 
temporarily disabled or checked in front of the booms, and firing with 
Q.F. guns at a stationary target must therefore occasionally take place. 
At “ combined practice,” if there is sufficient ammunition, Q.F. guns 
might sometimes be employed in the defence according to the scheme 
adopted, as besides their use against torpedo boats, they will prove 
invaluable in keeping down fire from the upper structures of ships 
within their range. 
MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY. 
A great part of our home coast guns would be manned in war time 
