GUN PRACTICE AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18709, 15 May 1924, Page 8

GUN PRACTICE AT SEA.

THE HOOD AND REPULSE.

FIRING AT HIGH SPEED.

BIG GUN SHOTS AT £150 EACH

Gran-fire practice at sea on board ships of the Hood and Repulse typo is a marvellously exact business. Deep sea practice* is carried out about once every three months. In the case of the two ships named practice is conducted with the vessels steaming at full speed, but, of course, miles apart, the Hood using the Repulse as a target and vice versa. Naturally the two vessels do not fire actually at each other. After getting the rang* the guns of the firing ship are deflected six degrees astern of the fast-mov-ing target. As' the shots fall in the vicinity of the target that vessel reports the result to the firing ships by wireless. She may report the shot to be " short "or " long " or "straddling," the last-mentioned phrase meaning that the shot has fallen an line with the ship, but astern.

In allowing for a six degrees deflection there is an ample margin of safety for the ship being fired at, but all the same the practice is to arrange for the shots to fall astern, so that there shall be no danger of the " target," in her swift movement through the water, steaming into the line of fire. . , It costs £150 to fire a charge from one of the Hood's big guns, and at the period of sea practice six charges are fired from each gun. „ HOOD V. REPULSE. . EVEN "SOCCER" MATCH. COMEDIANS ON SIDE-LINE.

The keen, friendly rivalry that exists among the " soccer people " in the battle cruisers Hood and Repulse found many humorous outlets at Victoria Park yesterday afternoon. Supporters of both ships turned out in great force to r cheer their elevens on to victory .and, as in most things, the sailormen had their own way of shouting encouragement. "Come on the 'Oodsl" yelled many deep-sea voices as the team from the flagship filed on to the field in their neat navy bin© jerseys. " Good old Reps," "Dish 'em up,, the little ship," was the answer as the Repulse players appeared, clad in bright red football shirts.

And the entertainment continued as the game progressed. " Let's have one, Skinner, boy!" the Repulse men called to their speedy outside left, and those unfamiliar with the gamo could only guess that \l was a goal the worthy Skinner was asked to supply. " Ain't been issued with shootin' boots," was the comment' when Cox, the Hood's inside left, had two shots in good positions, and failed. Andrews, the Hood's right wing, was also given prominence with requests to do many things, most of which wero beyond human skill in die circumstances. " Andy," as he was called, at length managed a beautiful centre, from which his inside man, introduced to Auck3ano\ers as " Palmy," scored a clever goal. Hood caps flew in the air and.two "well primed" young sailors on the side-line took the field and favoured the company with an exhibi tion of jazzing that wjs performed with steps interpolated from the well-known " sailors roll."

One heard gunners' terms used, too, "All right for line," was the laconic comment as Roberts, the burly centreforward for the Repulse, sent the ball skimming over the net instead of under the' bar. "Elevation rotten," said a quiet, keen-eyed petty officer sitting handy. ' Quite noticeable was the clever manner in which the defending backs kept the ball low with their clearing kicks, thus saving time and helping the forwards much more. Burke, one of the Hood's fullbacks, who played a sterling game, once mado tho mistake of " ballooning " the ball. "Keep it on the island, mate!" was the order issued to Burke by more than one voice, and the sally was greeted with roars of laughter. The game, cleanly and cleverly eontested throughout resulted in a drawtwo all, so that some 3000 Aucklamiers who attended are not certain yet whicil is the better team. All present, though, will confess that our sailor visitors are great exponents of the soccer code, and great sportsmen, while the "comic relief supplied by supporters is new and "snappy."

FINAL DAYS OF VISIT.

WARSHIPS CLOSED TO-DAY.

MEN "AT HOME" ON HOOD.

Following is the programme of events for the remainder of the, squadron's visit to Auckland:—

TO-DAY. Morning.— shooting trips. 7.5 -Eighteen officers and 250 men leave for Rotorua. 10.30 a.m.—Vice-Admiral and Commodore, H.M.S. Chatham, inspect Devonport naval yard. 2.30 p.m.—Children',' party, H.M.S. Repulse. 2.30 p.m.—Ship's Company "At Home," H.M.S. Hood. 3 p.m. —Rugby football match, Ships' Company v. City Council team, at the Domain.

3 p.m. League football match, H.M.S. Repulse v. local team, "Victoria Park. Afternoon.—Golf at Middlemore, Titiraneti, or Maungakiekie links. Evening.—Dinner to admirals and officers, H.M.S. . Chatham. Victoria and Navy League ball, Town Hall. H.M.S. Hood closed to public. H.M.S. Repulse closed to public. : TO-MORROW. Morning.Officers' shooting trips. Officers and men return from Rotorua. ' 2.30 p.m.— company "At Home," H.M.S. Repulse..■, 3 p.m.—Association football match, Squadron v. New Zealand, at Domain. 3 p.m.—Rugby football match, Squadron v. Sacred Heart College, at Domain. 3 p.m. Hockey match, Squadron v. Auckland. "■"- Afternoon.—Golf at, Middlemore, Titirangi, or Maungakiekie links. Evening.Dinner, H.M.S. Hood. H.M.S. Hood open for school children from 10 a.m. to noon; open for public, 1.30 to 5 p.m. - H.M.S. Repulse closed. 9 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Searchlight display by fleet. '"■"■. , SATURDAY. *■;'. Squadron departs afternoon. •

GOLF AND TENNIS.

VISITORS ON THE LINKS.

About 30 or. 40 officers from the squadron enjoyed "a game of golf at Middlemore yesterday as the guests of the Auckland Golf Club. One prominent player among the visitors is Commander Barry of the Hood. He has been on the links several times and is playing very good golf. Tennis matches between officers and Auckland representatives were played on the courts of Messrs. H. G. Thomson, F. W. Wilson, and J. Stanton, Epsom, yesterday afternoon. The absence of several players at Rotorua weakened the naval team, and the local team won by six matches to one. Another match was in the visitors' favour when play was abandoned owing Jo failing light. r