MAGNIFICENT SHOOTING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2056, 17 April 1907, Page 4

MAGNIFICENT SHOOTING

Tho remarkable success achieved in gunnory practice by H.M.S. L’oworful in Norfolk Bay, Tasmania, a few days ago, when all the records of tho world's navies wore beaten,‘lias created intenco interest in naval and other circles, not alone in Australasia, but also at Home, and probably on the Continent (says tho Sydney Morning Herald). The result of the heavy gun firing competitions is conclusive evidence of the efficiency of our navy, and should at once dispel the fears of those who were inclined to believo that owing to the progress made by foreign Rollers Great Britain’s supremacy of tho seas was threatened. Naval exports are not giving to boasting—indeed, it is at times difficult to get them to talk of their successes. The record established by tho Powerful, however, is of such a sensational character that Vice-Admiral Fawkes was induced to refer with pardonable pride to tho achievements of his flagship. Speaking on tho subject of tho gunnery competitions tho other day, his Excellency said: “Several of the ships have done very well, and I will say that while •i.i Tasmanian waters the Powerful lias made a record which will fie -very hard to beat in accuracy. Four years ago my late flagship held the record with 40 per cent, of -hits; last year the first ship in the fleet had 87 per cent, of hits; but I am glad to say that the Powerful this year has 90.5 per cent., which leaves very little margin for defeat.” The Powerful, it will bo remembered, while steaming a zig-zag course at a speed of 12 knots scored 113 hits out of 117 shots fired from lior six-inch guns. The range was over-varying, but the mean distance was 1050 yards—nearly a mile. The target measured 211 ft. by 14ft., the size of the bull’s-eye being 10ft. by Bft. Not only was the percentage .if hits—96.s—unprecedented, but upwards of 60 per cent, of the hits were actual bull’s-eyes.