414 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1899. 
torpedo-boats are especially valuable both to our coast defence troops 
and to the naval officers concerned. 
C. Identification of Ships. —There is little opportunity of learn¬ 
ing this practically in home waters and of using identification cards, 
but a general knowledge of the types of ships afloat and their appear¬ 
ance should be part of every coast artillery officer’s attainments. Dur¬ 
ing the winter months, lectures might with advantage be given, if 
possible by naval officers or others who have made a special study of 
the subject, in which the main features of the ships of various powers 
would be explained. Those who have had the opportunity of attend¬ 
ing Captain C. Orde Browne’s lectures will realise the benefit conferr¬ 
ed by this form of instruction: Opportunities should also be taken, 
whenever possible, of showing officers over the dockyards. The iden¬ 
tification sheets should be more freely used, so that all may know how 
a certain class of ship may be recognized and attacked. A great deal 
more practice than is generally obtainable is required for the clear 
understanding of Fire Commander’s orders and taking prompt action 
upon them. 
D. Supply of Ammunition. —This is usually much neglected but 
in war time will be of vital importance, especially now that rapidity of 
fire is becoming such a factor in coast defence.! All officers should be 
fully instructed in all details connected therewith; they should know 
the system in which cartridges are grouped, the order in which groups 
are to be used up, the working of lifts, the method of communicating 
with magazines, etc. In most batteries the arrangements are simple 
and easily understood, but in some of the older forts they are most 
complicated, and require a great deal of supervision by officers con¬ 
cerned to ensure a rapid supply of projectiles. “ A thorough know¬ 
ledge of the ammunition service is of very great importance to the 
Garrison Artillery, for without it, all time and thought expended on the 
production of its materiel and on the augmentation of the accuracy of 
fire may be rendered useless.”* 
All magazines and lifts should occasionally be manned, and all Gun 
Group Commanders should be required to make themselves acquaint¬ 
ed with the details of ammunition supply to their guns. 
E. Battery Commander's duties. —These can only be thoroughly 
learnt by practical experience and personal study. The Battery Com¬ 
mander’s post is the most important connected with Garrison Artillery 
service and requires peculiar quickness and clearheadedness. The 
difficulties of the position are rarely brought home at drill and peace 
practice, when probably only one or two groups are used, the target is 
distinct, and the Battery Commander can recognize his own splashes 
and judge his corrections. In actual service the case would be very 
different, and if he is not efficient the whole effect of the fire of his 
groups is lost. Officers should learn from the very beginning how fire 
is controlled and corrected, and the junior ranks should be given every 
opportunity at drill and when possible at practice, of acting as Battery 
Commander. 
* Ammunition Service of a fort.” By Major J. F. Johnson, R.A. 
