RECORD ‘TARGETS. 29 
A target called the Devonport or Richardson pattern was then in- 
vented. 
It was designed to illustrate the breadth, as well as the height and 
length of a war-ship, and to offer the same target area when not 
exactly broadside-on to the battery. 
It was built in such a manner that no one shot could pass through it 
without leaving a record; but no single shot could do any extensive 
damage. 
Light wooden cross-pieces and lathing were built up upon two keels, 
12 feet apart. These were fitted with bags of cork chips to give the 
necessary buoyancy. 
The structure resembled the frame of a house-roof, was made of the 
lightest deal scantling, and from the ridge-pole hung “chicks” or 
curtains of laths, strung on tape, which could be rolled up when 
not required. The length of target was 40 feet, its height above water- 
line 12 feet when new, but as the cork bags became water-logged, it 
sank deeper. 
An end view of this target was somewhat as follows :— 
DEVONPORT OR RICHARDSON TARGET. 
AA = Cork Bags. B = Cross-piece. Cie Chicks 
It was cheap and easy to build, and at first it answered well, but as 
the cork bags became thoroughly soaked, the cross-pieces B, of which 
there were 10, entered the water, and the resistance they offered was 
so great that towing at a fair rate of speed was out of the question. 
The original target was found to be too unwieldy in one piece, and a 
second pattern was designed, in two sections, connected by lashing and 
stays. This was rather handier, and the sections could be used separ- 
ately in very rough weather. 
The great objection to this target altogether was its difficulty in tow- 
ing, on account of the cross-pieces, which difficulty has been overcome 
in the target known as the “Improved Richardson 1893 pattern.” 
Major-General Richardson so far altered the design of his first targets 
that the cross-pieces should be well clear of the water. 
The cork bags also offered considerable resistance, and these were 
very ingeniously disposed of, by making each keel double and stowing 
Devonport 
or 
Richardson 
target. 
Richardson, 
improved, 
1893 pattern, 
