AMERICAN GUNNERY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3085, 6 January 1909, Page 4

AMERICAN GUNNERY.

Some astonishing figures relative to the shooting of the United States fleet in the Spanish war, and as lata es 1902, are given in an article in the "McClure's Magazine." As a result of the victories of Manila and Santiago the American Navy achieved world-wide fame, but as a matter of hard fact, the shooting was about as bad as it could be. At Manila 90 per cent, of the .shots missed at ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 yards. At Santiago 98 per cent, missed. The day was clear, the sea smooth, the targets large, and the average range only 2,800 yards. In 1901 Lieutenant Sims, an American officer, became acquainted on the China station, with Sir Percy Scott, of H.M.S. Terrible, who had developed a new system of gunnery. Lieutenant Sims was greatly impressed with the value of the scheme, which was trebling the efficiency of the British gunnery, and strongly urged its adoption by the American authorities. He estimated that the ships which usfid Captain Scott's method, shot ton times as well as the American Navy. But it was impossible to convince the Navy Department. It proved to its own satisfaction, theoretically and practically, that it was impossible for guns to be fired according to Captain Scott's method! Then President Roosevelt intervened, and ordered a real gunnery test to be held. An old light-ship, with sails yet, was fired at by the live battleships of the North Atlantic sqnadrcn for five minutes at a range o' 2,800 yards. More than 200 sho'.s were fired, but only two hit the marl:. Then the squadron was set to fire at a canvas target only 1,600 ynrcis away. Only 15 per cent, of the shots hit the target. There was nothing more to be said. President Roosevelt, taking the matter into his own hands, appointed Lieutenant Sims Director of Target Practice. Now, it is claimed that the American Navy leaf's the I world in accuracy and rapidity of I shooting, which may or may not be true. At any rate the gunnery of the Navy has vastly improved, thanks ! to Lieutenant Sims, President Roosevelt, and Captain Scott.