BIG GUNS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1914, Page 9

BIG GUNS

«»- — .- SHOOTING FROM THE FORTS GOOD PRACTICE. Towing the Hongkong targets, the Janie Seddon left Fort Ballance yesterday morning, and ran up the harbour to enable the Garrison Artillery in camp at Fort Kelburne to go through its final series of big-gun firing under the inspection of the Commandant (Major-General Godley). A nor'-wester was blowing, but the targpts had been launched successfully, ■ and they arrived at the firing base without any mishap. The Hongkong targets are two light floating structures 12ft high and 200 ft apart, with a smaller structure half-way between them surmounted by a red flag, and they are supposed to represent the space in the water that would be presented by a hostile cruiser. For purposes of safety the target is towed at a distance of 400 ft behind the Janie Seddon, and the accuracy of the shots is gauged by the distance which separates them from the' vessel which the targets represent,. The targets are towed across what is known as a "safety zone," clear of shipping, , and any danger of ricachets, signals are exchanged between the steamer and the fort, and firing commences. From the low promontory at Ngahauranga, on which Fort Kelburne is situated (it would require a good pair of glasses to discover its existence), comes a spurt of fire, a few seconds later comes the report of a big gun, and immediately afterwards a huge column of water leaps into the air. The shell has gone over the target, just high enough to have done considerable damage to the structure of any vessel which the target represented. Again and again come the spurt of fire, the boom of the gun, and what looks like a marine explosion, and the range officer on the steamer carefully, notes, by the .aid of appliances, how far over or short the shut went, and records accordingly. It all happens within 400 ft of the towing vessel. "Pretty good shooting" was the general verdict of those who ought to know. The 6in guns from Fort, Kelburne fired altogether sixteen rounds, and then put in some practice with the six-pounders. Major-General Godley, who was accompanied by Colonel Heard and Colonel Johnston (the latter beiiig in charge of the operations) then left for Fort Dorset, right at the entrance to the Heads 5 the remaining members of the staff were taken to' Fort Dorset by the Janie Seddon, landing at Seatoiin, and the two up-to-date bin guns at the fort gave a display. The experience ashore was in direct and interesting contrast to what had been experienced afloat. From the heights of Fort Dorset the Janie Seddon looked a blurred speck in tho haze that enveloped the Straits, and without glasses it was very difficult, to see the targets towing behind her. A, terrific roar, a flash, and the ehell screems across the blue expanse for over 4000 yards, throws up a huge columns of water, and almost before the reverberations have died away the signaller announces tho result in technical terms. Thirty rounds ar,6 fired, and it is evident that good practice is being made, and that the gun squads are well up to their work. Ex perts speak in terms of praise about the "time"; the interest 'evinced by those not in action is pleasant to notice, and Fort Dorset considers that it has come through the ordeal with credit. The official results of all tho series will be published later, and will count in the competition for the shields, -which are open to all garrison artillery companies in New Zealand. Fort Ballanco was engaged in similar work later in the day. At the three forts considerably over 200 men have been undergoing their annual training, which extends over eight days, and concludes to-morrow. It is reported that the discipline has been excellent, that the health of the men has been good, and ( that the men have shdwn a laudable desire to make the most of the opportunity thus afforded to make themselves acquainted with their duties. The weather, however, has been variable and frequently unpleasant, and Captain Ingster and the crew of the Janie Seddon have had their- full share of the discomfort which has been the lot of all who have been concerned in the operations of the past week.