TORPEDO-BOAT RAIDS ON HARBOURS. 183 
in charge would judge his ranges at night when the boats were hesita- 
ting in front of the boom. 
NeEcESSITY FOR RAINING. 
A good deal more practice with quick-firing guns is however necessary 
to train men as layers, and a fair amount of ammunition should be 
allowed for the purpose. 
We are now provided with excellent and most accurate weapons, but 
unless we get men trained and capable of working them they are use- 
less tous. There is a great difference between training a man to lay a 
heavy gun and training him to be efficient with a quick-firing gun, this 
latter above all things requiring a great amount of coolness and nerve, 
which can only be obtained by actual firing ; no amount of drill will 
ever do this. 
I have lately seen a system of firing quick-firing guns with Morris 
tubes at a moving target representing a torpedo-boat, which is simple 
and realistic as far as possible, and would enable men to be trained at 
very little cost to the National purse. 
Captain Hawkins, R.A., has a most ingenious idea for firing the 
heavier guns by electricity, having safety signals, etc. ; but would not 
this be further complicating our already too complicated system ? 
The present tendency seems to be to go back, and simplify every- 
thing as much as possible, and in the case under discussion, none but 
the simplest methods would ever enable us to be really efficient ; the 
chain of command would have to be dropped, or by the time orders had 
filtered through, the torpedo-boats would be far away. 
Only a general connection between the Fire Commanders and the 
Sub-Commanders in charge of quick-firing guns and electric-lights 
would be possible, though there should be no need for even this if 
orders have been given previously as to the course to be adopted in 
case of attack. 
Simplicity is what we require, and all such things as telephones, 
speaking tubes, dials, correction cards and tables of all sorts would 
have to be ignored for this class of night work if we ever wished to hit 
anything. 
A good lamp to replace the present “ tracing lamp” is badly wanted, 
pending the introduction of a reliable night sight. 
Summing up, it would appear that with fixed beams, a timely warn- 
ing, a few quick-firing guns manned by trained gunners under a 
cool-headed officer with a little common sense, and, if possible, a boom 
or other obstacle to keep the boats under fire, there should be no great 
difficulty in dealing with any attack by torpedo-boats on our harbours 
if we only prepare for them and do not leave everything to be arranged 
at the last moment. 
I have purposely omitted any mention of submarine mines, dirigible 
torpedoes, and the co-operation of the navy, though these should all 
assist in simplifying the task of the artillery defence. 
SHOEBURYNESS, 
25th November, 1894, 
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