fact, I understand that in the recent conversion of some of our predreadnoughts into one-caliber ships, the elimination of the broadside guns has left the remaining battery as a whole possessed of a very fair command. In the matter of concentration of fire by more smaller ships on a less number of larger ones, or distribution of the fire of less larger ships against more smaller ones, there are several things to be considered. A ship distributing her fire against two targets can do it well enough as long as two spotting or fire control stations are working well; but if one is knocked out the distribution will be affected. On the other hand, two ships concentrating on one can certainly maintain the fire in satisfactory succession. In 1909, at the first battle practice ever tried by our fleet in which concentration of two, and more, ships was attempted, it became evident that certainly two and probably three ships properly trained could alternate salvos efficiently. Those were pioneer days, and what we did fairly well then (somewhat to the surprise of the Naval War College, I understood) can certainly be much better done now; and then there will be the security of having a spare fire control station. If some of the advantages claimed for greater displacement are denied to ships materially larger than those of the present fashion, thus diminishing the tactical superiority claimed for them, there will naturally be corresponding increase in the importance of strategic features, expanding the scope of strategy to comprise world-wide operations. This may lead to more favorable consideration of the possible importance of diffusion. Of course, either extreme-excessive diffusion or complete concentration-is impossible of serious consideration; there may be compromises affected by political and diplomatic situations of individual countries. With us, the exigencies of world politics and the demands of various parts of our somewhat far-flung national or state interests may have an influence in shaping our program of construction; but we must not lose sight of the fact that control of some particular area may be decided by a fleet action in a different part of the world, and fleet efficiency should not be impaired either by building ships smaller than is necessary or by vitiating their individual tactical qualities by making them too large. U. S. NAVAL INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS NO. 191 ACCURATE TRAJECTORIES BY MECHANICAL By CAPTAIN E. F. EGGERT, C. C., U. S. N. TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS Page 72, line 25, the expression xt2 should be kxt2. Page 76, in the title under Sheet A, C should be c, and 8 should be 8. There should be a note that the solid curves are for 16" and the broken curves for 14" projectiles. Page 77, line 20, the expressions r and r, should be ridt and redt. Page 80, Sheet B, the headings P, Ph, and po should be r, Th, and rv. Change in Board of Control SECRETARY'S NOTES Colonel Dion Williams, U. S. M. C. tendered his resignation as a member of the Board of Control upon being detached from duty in the United States and his resignation was accepted by the Board with regret on April 8, 1919. Life, regular and associate membership, 5778. Membership New members: 28. Resignations: 34. Dues Deaths: Lieutenant E. Q. Horton, U. S. N. The annual dues ($2.50) for the year 1919 are now payable. Regular and associate members of the U. S. Naval Institute are subject to the payment of the annual dues until the date of the receipt of their resignation. Address of Members All members are urged to keep the Secretary and Treasurer informed of the address to which PROCEEDINGS are to be sent, and thus insure their receipt. Members and subscribers are urged to notify the Secretary and Treasurer promptly of the non-receipt of PROCEEDINGS, in order that tracers may be started. The issue is completed by the 10th of each month. Book The Institute Book Department will supply any obtainable book, of any kind, at retail price, postDepartment age prepaid. The trouble saved the purchaser through having one source of supply for all books, should be considered. The cost will not be greater and sometimes less than when obtained from dealers. Reprints of The attention of authors of articles is called to the fact that the cost to them of reprints other than the usual number furnished, can be greatly reduced if the reprints are struck off while the article is in press. They are requested to notify the Secretary |