AT TWENTY MILES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 31, 5 August 1930, Page 4

AT TWENTY MILES

SHELLING A SPECK

Bad weather for one day compelled the postponement of Fleet gunnery and torpedo exercises, but we have been compensated for the disappointment by thrilling evolutions with the Second Cruiser Squadron (wrote the "Daily Telegraph" correspondent with the British Fleet).

Leaving Bepulse at dawn, we were transhipped to Hawkins, the flagship of Rear-Admiral the. Hon. Matthew Best, which, in company with her sister ship, Probishcr, steamed to sea.

Our programme included important gunnery exercises and a concentration shoot, by bofh cruisors against battle practice targets lowed by the sloop Snapdragon.

During the forenoon Frobisher lioisted out her seaplane, which took the air and carried out reconnaissance and artillery spotting duty. As the (lay wore on conditions became, almost ideal for shooting, with smooth water —a rare phenomenon in .these parts —and high visibility.

Shortly after two squadrons formed line ahead and tlie gun crews fell in, all guns being manned, though actually only three out of our seven 7.5 in weapons were in action.

By courtesy of the Admiral and the

commanding oflicer of the ship, I was permitted to witness this fascinating spectacle from the compass platform of tho bridge. The target was sighted at approximately twenty miles, and when wo had reduced this distance by about one-half, a blue warning flag was hoisted, flro gongs were clanged, and with a deafening crash our first salvo went off.

The next few minutes were decidedly; hectic. Hawkins, with Probisher astern,' was vomiting flame and clouds of tawny cordite smoke, while thft air was filled witfi rumblings as the 200 pounder shell sped towards the distant targets The noise of the blast and the concussion were severe, and in, my judgment more trying than the effects of heavier calibre guns. The shooting was superlatively good, salvo after salvo falling almost on top of the target, which, at such a great distance, was a. mere, speck. .

This astonishing display of gunnery had been preceded by a so-called bombardment shoot, which, although ver>spectaeular, was conducted under conditions too technical for description. Wo avo now steaming back -to Groniarty l vu-tli, having seen the Second Cruiser Squadron engaged in v practice which bore a close resemblance to an actual war engagement. In this ship working parties are now replacing the electric, globes, crockery, and other brittle articles which, previous to the firing, were stowed away. to avoid damage.