COMMENDED ESSAY, 1899. 
409 
methods of ranging and on communications. 
Instruction in Depression Range Finder and Position Finder just 
sufficient to ensure a fair knowledge of these instruments and their use. 
The supply of ammunition to guns and division of cartridges in 
groups; the lighting of magazines, working of lifts, etc. being explain¬ 
ed. 
The working of land front guns, systems of ranging at standing and 
moving targets, judging distances, and employment of machine guns or 
parapet mountings. 
Drill with the principal siege guns, and instruction in the use of 
French’s Sights and indirect laying, with a few short lectures on 
observation of fire and siege work generally but this training should 
be very rudimentary. 
Elementary drill, mounting a,nd dismounting 64-prs., gyn drill, 
machines and transporting carriages; first as working numbers, and 
then in charge of squads for redrilling; smartness and rapidity being 
insisted upon. This should include lectures on strength and weight of 
materiel , use of levers and tackles, etc. and be made as interesting as 
possible. It is most important that this preliminary work should be 
mastered thoroughly: it is the ground work of most shifts and teaches 
young officers to use judgment and to avoid and know the best way 
out of difficulties. 
Rigging derricks and sheers, and the way of finding strains and 
thrusts as given in the handbook, should be carefully explained, the 
importance of working out all calculations when in charge being insist¬ 
ed upon. 
The course should be taken to typical guns and told in detail how 
they were mounted, and how one should set about to dismount them 
again and to move carriages and slides. The mechanical details of 
all mountings should be shown, and practical information as to the 
method of filling buffers or cylinders of hydro-pneumatic mountings, 
etc. should not be forgotten. 
Instruction in the electrical appliances in use at the station, 
such as telephones, firing keys, order dials, etc., should be given, in¬ 
cluding the ordinary tests and adjustments, care of cells and leads, etc. 
During the course, young officers should be shown the various forts 
and batteries in the vicinity, the system employed in fighting each, 
how the guns are subdivided and what range or position finder works 
each group, etc. These visits are of the greatest possible value in 
that they let them see coast defence under varying conditions and 
teach them to think for themselves and become broad-minded. It 
must be remembered that several will perhaps be sent to stations 
where they will see little of up-to-date coast defence, and where their 
lately acquired knowledge may greatly assist in improving and making 
the best of the available armament. 
Any other necessary instruction such as sword drill, physical drill, 
and bayonet exercise, must be given at early morning parades or odd 
times, they should attend office when possible and be attached for 
regimental duty to senior subalterns. 
At the end of their course they should be examined by a board, and 
28 
