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COAST ARTILLERY IN ACTION. 
BY 
LIEUT.-COLONEL J. R. J. JOCELYN, R.A. 
(A Lecture delivered at the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich, 8th November, 1894.) 
Masor-Guengrat H. Lz G. Guary, C.B., R.A., In THE Crain. 
Tue Caatrman—Gentlemen, I will ask Colonel Jocelyn to give us his 
lecture. 
GENERAL GEARY AND GentLEMEN—I propose this afternoon to draw 
attention to certain technical details connected with the efficient working 
of the guns of the Coast Artillery, but without any special reference to 
the particular service those guns may be called upon to perform ; for 
this, I consider, to be less a question of training, than of distribution 
of materiel and personnel, which is, rightly, in the hands of superior 
authorities, who are able to regard it, not only from an artillery, but also 
from a naval and engineer standpoint ; and, in discussing training and 
command, we may, | think, very well leave such questions alone. Nor 
do I propose to touch on the vexed question of ships versus forts, or on 
what a gallant enemy dare or dare not do. Considering the small data 
we have before us, in view of modern progress, it will be wiser to ob- 
serve the aphorism, “ Do not prophesy unless you know.” 
TRAINING: AN ABSTRACT QUESTION. 
It is our duty to train the Coast Artillery, so that it may be ready 
for whatever it may be called upon to do; to make it into a machine, 
which will work together harmoniously, in all its parts, with as little 
friction as possible, and with no portion of it subjected to undue strain; 
and whether its lot may be, to check the raids of torpedo-boats, or fight 
fleet actions, I cannot see that its training can be effected thereby. No 
one knows what the future may bring us, therefore let us seek to make 
it resemble one of those steam hammers close by, which can forge the 
breech-piece of a “ Woolwich Infant,” or crack a nut, if necessary, and 
until the day of trial comes, bringing with it what it may, let us so 
work, that we may then hope to justify the money and thought that has 
been expended on it. ‘Training, of necessity, must be an abstract 
question. 
Tae Cuan or Commanp. 
I propose first dealing with the new chain of command which has 
been laid down by authority. It is familiar no doubt to most of you, 
but in order to clear the ground, I will read two short extracts from 
official documents :—“ A fortress section will be organised for artillery 
purposes in one or more I'ire Commands, of which the size will be 
4, VOL. XXII. Dil 
