TARGET PRACTICE. The use of stationary targets for practice in the United States Army has given place to that of appearing and disappearing tar gets, which stimulate activity and in crease the skill of the gunners. Ameri can soldiers, and particularly those of the regular service, have the reputation of being the best shots in the world.
For recruits who have not seen such service, the "surprise" targets prove ex cellent schooling in quick aim and rapid firing. Of these moving targets there are several varieties. In infantry firing at appearing targets, a section, or com pany, is marched forward to some marked point, when nearing it a target suddenly comes into view. It represents a body of cavalry crossing the plains ahead. The infantry forms in the di rection as quickly as possible and opens fire. The target remains in sight only 15 or 20 seconds, after which it is re placed by other targets appearing and disappearing in turn and representing the successive positions of the cavalry. One form of target alternately folds and opens up. It simulates an enemy ad vancing and kneeling to fire.
The appearing and disappearing tar gets are worked from a pit position. Light lines leading along the ground and reeving through pulleys enable the op erator in his safety cellar to flash a target into view at any desired time. For
artillery firing there are frames mounted parallel to the line of fire, and which can be thrown into view by merely turn ing them so that they will show at right angles to the line of fire. To catch aim quickly, and fire rapidly and with ac curacy is the object striven for in this system of target practice.
The proficiency of American gunners in the naval engagements of 1898 at tracted much attention. It has been at tributed, very correctly, to the pains taken in target practice. Once a month, every ship in the United States Navy, no matter whether she is in a home or a foreign port, is compelled to go to sea for target practice. A float contain ing a canvas target is turned adrift on the sea while the vessel manoeuvres around it for position exactly as if she were entering an engagement. Most of the floating navy targets average about 15 feet in height. The ranges for target practice vary with the size of gun used from 1,000 to 5,000 yards. The auxiliary cruiser "Gloucester," firing at a 6-foot triangular target with her small rapid fire guns, literally peppered the canvas at a range of 2,000 yards. During the regular gun practice every rifle on the ship is brought into action.