ARTILLERY IN COAST DEFENCE. 
417 
of the ship (taking into account the inclination of her 
course to the line of fire); and at which (taking into account 
the size of the armoured target) there is reasonable hope of 
hitting it, use armour-piercing projectiles at that armour, 
for preference choosing the belt to fire at. 
5. The attack of the unarmoured parts of the vessel by percussion 
common and plugged shrapnel should be continued simul¬ 
taneously with the attack of the armour, the latter task 
being allotted to a portion only of the heavy armament. 
(Common may be used plugged when the range is such 
that there is little likelihood of missing the side of a ship). 
6. Quick-firing and machine and field guns should be employed 
to keep down the fire of the auxiliary armament in the tops 
and on the upper deck ; and at close ranges to fire at the 
ports, and where the height of site admits, into the bar¬ 
bettes. 
7. At close ranges time shrapnel should be used to clear the 
decks and prevent the working of guns in barbettes of 
stationary vessels. 
8. Against armoured cruisers of the type of the “ Dupuy-de- 
Lome,” (viz., having completely armoured hulls or other 
lightly armoured vessels), attack as above, except that, 
when the range is such that penetration of the armour by 
common shell may be expected, use that projectile, plugged, 
against the armour. 
The same general rules govern the choice of projectiles for high- 
angle-fire guns as for direct-fire guns. 
Howitzers of the movable armament would occasion much damage, 
especially to barbette ships, by a fire of percussion common, but could 
only, as a rule, be employed against stationary vessels; or by laying 
on a spot at a narrow part of the channel over which the vessel must 
approximately pass. 
It is not expected that Fire Commanders will be able to employ 
formulae and remember rules to any great extent during action; to aid 
them, therefore, tables will be supplied containing the names of all 
vessels likely to be engaged (a separate table for each nation), divided 
into types. These tables will give a general description by which the 
type may be recognised, information as to dimensions; nature, thick¬ 
ness and distribution of the armour; nature and distribution of the 
armament; and any special points, such as parts of the vessel particularly 
open to damage; thus far the tables would be of general use, for each 
fort must be added the ranges at which the armour becomes penetrable 
by the guns of the fort, and the general lines on which the Fort 
Commander should conduct the action, having regard to the power of 
his guns and the conditions imposed on the vessel by the particular 
circumstances of the water area. 
The Section Commander, when pointing out to a Fire Commander 
the particular vessel which he is to attack, will also, as a general rule, 
inform him of the type to which that vessel belongs, and, if possible, 
