Hong Hong 
target. 
Portsmouth 
target. 
28 RECORD TARGETS. 
So, grew up, tentatively at first, more rapidly as its vast importance 
became recognised, that branch of applied gunnery which is known as 
Coast Defence; and in its train came into being, as necessary adjuncts, 
specialist gun-layers, depression range-finders and their uniform and 
effective use, groups and group differences, Commanding Officer’s ob- 
servation and corrections, moving targets, schemes of practice, strict 
Fire Discipline, and Record targets. 
Record targets are designed to represent actual ships, and to travel 
at a fair rate of speed. 
The forerunner of the Record target was the single or double Hong 
Kong, which is still far the best bad-weather target we have. It is 
cheap, handy, and extremely light. Used singly it represents any 
desired position of a ship, usually the bow, and hits are counted as the 
shots fall within given limits, laterally, and in range. 
It is usually taken to represent the bow water-line, because layers 
are instructed to invariably aim at that point. If the Fire Commander 
knows that this is being done consistently, he can himself then correct, 
with confidence, to bring the shots to any desired point of impact. 
Two Hong Kong targets, connected by a tow-rope, represent the 
length of a supposed ship. All shots, within limits, falling between the 
two are counted as hits. 
The objections to the Hong Kong are its small size, which renders it 
difficult to see at long ranges, the impossibility of its recording effective 
hits, for if it represents the bow water-line—a shot through would be 
far less effective than one 50 feet astern of the target. It is also liable 
to tow under, nose-first, when turning, and in rough weather, owing to 
weight of tow-rope. This may be prevented by using an ordinary 
square cork buoy, made fast to the tow-rope between target and tug. 
Dismissing, then, the Hong Kong, useful and seaworthy as it is, we 
come to Record targets proper, which are required to fulfil the follow- 
ing conditions, or as many of them as possible :— 
(1.) Visibility at long and short ranges. 
(2.) Hvery hit to be recorded. 
(8.) Strength. 
(4.) Seaworthiness. 
(5.) Lightness in towing. 
(6.) Cheapness, in first cost and repair. 
(7.) Durability. 
One of the first was known as the Portsmouth pattern target. It 
was a long, narrow boat-shaped body, having an iron centre-board 
keel at the stern, and a superstructure of light iron masts and tape 
lattice-work. Its length was over 60 feet, its breadth at water-line 
about 8 feet, and its height 12 feet. It towed remarkably well, but 
was very heavy, very expensive, and could be dismantled by one or two 
lucky shots. 
Tt was cut clean in two at Plymouth by a shot at water-line; and the 
bow portion was used for some time alone, until it was again cut in half 
by a similar shot. 
