156 COAST ARTILLERY IN ACTION. 
pend on the range-finding installation ; if a depression range-finder is 
employed, only one target can be dealt with, whereas, if there is a 
position-finder per group, each group can fire on a separate one. For 
my own part, I am somewhat afraid that this idea of engaging several 
targets at a time by one Battery Command is liable to be pushed too far: 
we must remember that if we want to lay guns over the sights, we must 
have a clear view, and this, practically, independent group firing, may 
lead to great interference from smoke, especially in casemates. Seeing 
that a Battery Command does not comprise any great number of guns, 
I should almost prefer to deal with one target first, and then get on to 
another : for it is more important to absolutely crush one objective than 
to partially damage two. Ido not mean to say that two targets ata 
time should never be engaged, but when it is necessary, the question of 
smoke must not be lost sight of, and groups controlled accordingly. 
The next two points had better be considered, first in an open fort 
and then in casemates. 
Position oF Bartery ComMANDER IN ACTION IN AN Open Fort. 
In a fort of any command, it should be an easy thing to establish the 
command post in close vicinity to the guns, and also in a place, whence 
the water-way would be visible, a depression range-finding pedestal 
being also close at hand; for it would be well to always provide this 
instrument. On a low site, this might not be so feasible. However 
this may be, once action is imminent, the Battery Commander would 
select a position from which he could see his water-way, leaving a 
representative at his command post, if the same were not quite close at 
hand, in reach of his voice. Such a position is an absolute necessity, 
with one exception. Naval officers tell us that the best way to silence 
a fort is to come in close and overwhelm it with fire: granting that 
the ships have come in close, then the time for range-finding has passed 
by, guns would have to be laid by aid of the sights alone, and fired as 
quickly as possible, and the Battery Commander would be with his 
men, beside them, close in touch with them, encouraging them in their 
work and sharing their risks. On the whole, the question of the 
Battery Commander’s position in an open fort is a fairly simple one. 
CoRRECTION oF Frere In AN Open Tort. 
Next we have the question, by whom shall corrections be applied to 
the range, as found by the instrument? Now, when the position- 
finder is employed I believe this matter can be left to the observers, 
but even then, the Battery Commander should have the last word. 
But with the depression range-finder this is impossible: the observer 
is fully taken up, keeping his instrument on the target, and if the drum- 
reader calls out its indications correctly, it is as much as we can ask of 
him. In this case, I think, the Battery Commander must take charge 
of the corrections, and, if he has to leave the vicinity of the instrument, 
he must employ someone else to do it for him. Asa rule, I think the 
method of fighting an open work is easily determined. 
Tue Foregoine QUESTIONS IN CASEMATES. 
In casemates, however, in considering the two foregoing questions, 
