12 COAST ARTILLERY IN ACTION. 
(6) The automatic switches must be so arranged that it is impossible for 
the line to be interrupted, as in the ordinary form, by a failure of 
the switch to move, and whether the switch is moved or not, the 
speaking or ringing of the call-bell should not be capable of being 
entirely prevented by this failure of the switch in its action. 
The ringing of the distant bell should be possible whether the switch 
is on or off. It is most desirable that not more than two stations 
should be connected on one line; lines that are used habitually for 
inter-communication between several stations, are generally the 
cause of delay, misunderstanding, and consequent mistakes. 
Lieutenant A. 8. Bucky, R.A.—Having been unable to attend this lecture, 
I have been allowed to offer, as part of the discussion thereon, some remarks on 
practice with groups of quick-firing guns; and venture to put forward the 
following, as the result of some experience lately gained at Shoeburyness in this 
form of practice. 
This experience, though limited, seems to lead to an opposite conclusion to 
that arrived at by Major Stone in his remarks during this discussion, from the 
results of practice in the Isle of Wight. 
At Shoeburyness a group of four guns was generally used, two 6-prs. and two 
3-prs., close together on a low site, and the target moved diagonally across the 
front of the group. No range-finder was used, but ranging was done with one 
gun, and rapid fire opened from all as soon as the range was found; the ranging 
being repeated when rendered necsssary by the movement of the target. 
The results obtained were satisfactory as regards accuracy, and were certainly 
“quick-firing,’ though in this respect the rapidity of fire when using black 
powder could not be compared with that obtained with cordite, except in a strong 
wind. There is no doubt that to obtain the considerable results that should be 
obtained with quick-firing guns, the ammunition mwst be smokeless. 
It must be admitted that the conditions under which the practice was always 
carried out, were very favourable: thus there was plenty of notice for preparation 
for action; the shooting was in daylight; the target, though small, moved 
comparatively slowly—certainly not more than nine or ten miles an hour; the 
gunlayers (staff-sergeants of the School of Gunnery) were very highly trained 
layers, and the men were well accustomed to the guns. No doubt the excellence 
of the gun-detachments contributed very materially indeed to any good effect 
obtained: but this merely shows the necessity for special and careful training of 
the personnel for work with quick-firing guns—training of which actual firing 
should form a large proportion. 
Still, granting that the conditions were favourable, good results were obtained 
from the group fire: and, given well-trained men, there seems no reason why 
good results should not be obtainable when the other conditions are adverse. If 
he can depend on his gun-layers, see his target, and observe his fire, the Group 
Commander has a comparatively easy task: but he must correct on_ his 
observations at once when necessary, and keep the fire of the group well in hand. 
It seems impossible to hope that any accuracy of fire can be obtained by 
leaving the gun-layers to do as they like, after being shown their target and given 
an estimated range; though a large quantity of ammunition would probably be 
expended. 
As Major Stone says, experiments in this direction on a more exhaustive scale 
are shortly to take place at Shoeburyness: the object I have in view in tendering 
these remarks will be fully attained if judgment on the merits of quick-firing 
guns fired in groups be deferred, until the results of those experiments are made 
public. 
