BIG-GUN SHOOTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 7

BIG-GUN SHOOTING

FRIDAY’S OPERATIONS TWENTY ROUNDS TO BE FIRED AT THE DEVON. Tho procedure in connection with the big “shoot” from the three forts on Friday next will bo what is known as ‘battle-practice.” The Janie Seddon, towing two Hongkong targets representative of a hostile cruiser, , will shape a course from well outside the heads and pass within range of the Dorset, Ballanco and Kelburno guns. At a range of about three miles the Mark YH, 6-inch guns at Fort Dorset will open fire with 20 rounds of practice shot. As soon as the target comes within the arc of fire of the Ballaneo Fort twelve-pounders, a number of rounds will be fired from that bat tery, after which the same fort will come into action with its 6-inch E.O.C. guns. The target having successfully run tho gauntlet of the two outer fortifications, will be towed towards Petono, and be finally dealt with by tlie old Petono Navals, who from Fort Keiburne, above Ngahauranga, will fire 20 rounds from their 6-inch E.O.C. guns. Prior to tho battle-practice and commencing at 10 a.m., ten rounds of lyddite and ten rounds of common pointed shell will be fired from 'the Dorset battery and directed at what remains of tho iv.s. Devon at the foot of Pencarrow lighthouse. Just what will be tho effect of the live shell on the empty hull of the wreck is a matter of conjecture amongst local gunners. This will be the finst time that the Mark VII. guns, one of the very latest patterns of garrison ordnance, will have fired live shell. Few of the Wellington garrison artillerymen have had -the opportunity of witnessing live shell practice, as it is a number of years since it has been used in this harbour. Fort Ballance, it will be remembered, some years ago fired a few rounds into the cliffs to the west of -fbe Gollan’s Valley road.

In tho forenoon. General Sir lan Hamilton will inspect tho coast defences and will watch tho big-gun shooting from the Seatoun side of the harbour entrance.