THE IRISH AND AMERICAN RIFLEMEN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 84, 5 December 1874, Page 9

THE IRISH AND AMERICAN RIFLEMEN.

GREATEST SHOOTING ON RECORD, The long-looted for shooting match at Creedmoor, New York, between the Irish and American Rifle teams which aroused so warm but friendly a rivalry between the two countries, has come to a fruition. The result is one creditable to both parties as presenting the best and probably the most closely contested match of the kind ever witnessed. This is evidenced by the figures, which show that while the Irish were superior both at the nine hundred and the thousand yards range, the Americans came out victors in the final aggregate, showing 934 against 931 points. The fact that there were only three points difference out of almost a. thousand, will give some idea how uncertain and pluckily contested the match proved. A preliminary practice took place on Thursday, the 24th. The firing, says the * New York Herald,' commenced at 800 yards, and exhibited a decided improvement on the part of the Irish* marksman, due to their better acquaintance with the pecularities of the atmospheric changes, which are so puzzling even to the practised Creed moor marksman. The preliminary contest at this range was most spirited and gave magnificent results. Dr. Hamilton, the great Indian shot, led the Irish score from the beginning, making at this range 12 bull's eyes and three centres, equivalent to fifty-seven out of a possible sixty. This magnificent shooting was tied by Lieut. Fulton, of the 1 American team, who was destined to render himself famous during the day by reaching the highest score ever attained, 168 points out of % possible 180. In order that the quality of the shooting may be better understood, we give the score of Dr. Hamilton and Lieut. Fulton in. figures at 800 yards. 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 414 3 4 4 4—57. At this range the gentlemen who composed the competing party succeeded in .making 328 points out of a possible 360. The Americans were not so successful, but they came closely after their rivals with 324. This is chiefly important as showing a marked improvement in the shooting of the Irish team, as at this range on the last practice day they were considerably behind the Americans. A comparison of notes having been made at this range a tie wbb declared, but the after examination of the score showed this to be an error. It had, however* the effect of making the competition at the 900 yards still keener, and when the captains of the teams compared notes a second tie was proclaimed, which led to the exchange of mutual compliments. The shooting was certainly splendid on both sides, and far in advance of anything that had been done at Wimbledon. The final examination of the scores showed, however, that a second error had been made in the hasty comparison of notes. The Irish having scored at the 900 yards range 319 out of a possible 360, while their antagonists had made 318, making a difference of one point only. The affair began to look very serious for the Americans as the 1000 yards range was looked upon as the one in which the Irish riflemen would be most likely to aesert a superiority. When tlie teams went back to the 10C0 yards range the American riflemen braced themselves for a final effort, and began their firing with much deliberation, taking council of each other as to elevations, condition of wind, etc. The result astonished themselves, as they succeeded in distancing their competitors, at what was looked' on as their favourite range. Out of a possible 360 they succeeded in £COiing3o2. Lieutenant Fulton making 56 out oi a possible 60 while the highest score made by the Irish riflemen at that range was 52, scored by Captain Walker. The following is the resume of scores made at the three distances :—: —

Mr. Johnson's score, at the 1000 yards range is only an appro*i« mation, as he fired only five shots, and was obliged to leare before completing in order to return to the city by the 4.42 p.m. train. In. the five shots he made 19 out of a possible 20.

This is the best average that has ever been made, the American eight having scored 1 244 out of a possible 1440, while the highest score ever made for the Elcho shield et Wimbledon was 1204. This is certainly very creditable to our amatuer marksmen, as they have not only improved on their own work but beaten the highest recorded practice. The Irish average was better than, their performance when they won the Elcho shield. On that occasioa with eight men, they made 1196 being an average of 149, while the average above was 156. On account of the formiduble character of the American team the Irish decided oa confining the number competing to six, although, the American, having a strong reserve, were very desirous of putting eight Richmond* into the field. In view, however, that four of the best shots of the Irish club were prevented tjr business engagements from going to America, Major Leech. decided not to risk the reputation of his country with auy but the besv shots. As the Irish reserved the right to name not less than six, there can be, of course, uo objection to .this course.— « Pilot."

Scobs or the auebican 1 800 900 Yards Yards t. Fulton 57 55 'olonel J. Bodine 64i 50 '. S. Dakin 54, 56 i. L. Hepburn 53 55 [. A. GHldersleere 52 k W. Yale 54- 50 Team. 1000 Yards 56 54 48 48 50 46 Totals 168 158 158 lt>6 154, 150 Totals £24 318 302 044.

Scobs of the leish Team. 800 900 1000 Yards Yards Yards )r. J. B. Hamilton 57 55 46 ames Wilson 54 57 47 JaptaiaP. Walker 54 51 52 Edmund Johnson 55 53 49 ". Eigby 57 51 49 . K. JMilner 50 52 48 Totals 158 158 157 157 157 151 Totals 328 319 291