Expert Naval Gunnery

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 6, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 22.

Expert Naval Gunnery

In the Spanish-American War it is estimated that Sampson's fleet that destroyed the Spanish warships under Cervera at the battle of Santiago scored only from three to four per cent of hits with their big guns. But that battle impressed on the American navy the necessity of good marksmanship, for it costs more than $1,000 each time one of those big guns is fired. Hence, during the last dozen years the American Government has been expending large sums on target practise in the navy, until at the present time the proficient naval gunner is able to make ninety-five per cent of hits with his big gun.

In some of the most recent tests a target about half the size of the ordinary battle-ship was towed at a distance of from six to seven miles from the vessel that was doing the firing. In one minute and forty-six seconds a twelve-inch gun fired four shots and scored four hits; an eight-inch gun made four shots and four hits in fifty-five seconds; a seven-inch gun fired five shots in thirty-five seconds and made five hits; a six-inch gun fired five shots in thirty-three seconds and made five hits; and a three-inch gun fired five shots in thirteen seconds and made five hits. When it is taken into account that the gunner had to calculate on the roll of his ship as well as the roll of his target, together with the speed at which both were going, as well as the velocity of the wind, such results are truly marvelous.

To attain to such accuracy of fire the naval department expends an average of about $10,000 a year on each gunner, this expense being largely for ammunition to use in target practise. And while the big guns are receiving so much attention, the small ones, and particularly the modern rifle for the marines, are just as particularly looked after. For since the air-ship has made its debut the small gun must be relied upon to destroy it before it can get over the war-ship and drop its deadly bomb. Hence the efficiency of the sharp-shooter aboard the war-ship must be kept at the highest point.

There are many persons who think that such skill in perfecting the machinery of death will keep the nations at peace. But after men have attained to such a high standard in the manufacture and operation of war implements, they will have all the greater fever of anxiety to use them in real battle. The prophecies of the Bible predict that the generation that is to witness the second coming of Christ will be remarkable for its great peace talk, while at the same time it will be feverishly preparing for war. Viewed from the standpoint of these prophecies, the actual conditions of this time are most significant indeed.