537 
MOUNTINGS FOR COAST ARTILLERY* 
BT 
LIEUT.-COL. SIR G. S. CLARKE, K.C.M.G., F.R.S. 
In a recent paper Major-General J. B. Richardson has entered a 
powerful “plea for speed in firing with garrison guns,” and has 
indicated the many causes which combine to retard the rate at present 
attainable. Out of nine such causes, three at least directly concern 
the department for which I am responsible, and I think it may be 
useful to state briefly the steps which have been taken—in anticipation 
—to meet General Richardson's demands. 
It has fallen to my lot to be brought into contact with the Garrison 
Artillery at many stations at home and abroad, to have been present 
at six of the annual naval manoeuvres, and to have seen quarterly 
practice carried out by ten of Her Majesty's ships. I need not say, 
therefore, that I cordially agree with General Richardson's conclusions; 
or that I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to remove the ground of 
his criticisms. The deplorable divorce of the manufacturing establish¬ 
ments from the Army, which they exist to serve, has naturally given 
rise to difficulties previously non-existent. General Richardson con¬ 
siders that the factories “do their best,'' but intimates that they do not 
know the “wants” of the Garrison Artilleryman and that their thoughts 
are not as his. This may well be the case; but the conditions which 
imply high or low speed of fire range far beyond the province of the 
manufacturer. To him, the problem is not nearly so simple as that of 
designing a mounting for a given gun with a view to insure the 
maximum rapidity of service. 
At first sight, it must appear that this condition is more easily 
fulfilled in a coast battery than on board ship. This, however, is not 
the case. Handiness, compactness and lightness are essential on 
board ship. Space is limited and special structural considerations 
arise. On the other hand, the requirements of the naval gunner are 
less comprehensive than those of the Garrison Artillery. His gun is 
practically an independent unit, since director firing is happily 
passing out of favour. Cases II. and III. do not therefore trouble 
the designer. Again, the naval gunner accepts perforce an amount 
of exposure which would not be justified in the case of a coast battery. 
If, by the application of some suitable form of X rays, the men en¬ 
gaged in handling and supplying the guns on board a ship in action 
could be rendered visible, the effect would be surprising, and the 
Garrison Artilleryman would realise his enormous advantages. The dark 
11. vox,, XXIV. 71 
