But the point-blank ranges, and those at small angles of elevation, are generally, as stated in the tables of practice, much greater than those deduced by the theorems of Mr. Robins and Dr. Hutton. It does not appear, from the tracts which those eminent men have put in our possession upon the subject of gunnery, that they were aware of a projectile's flight being disturbed by any other forces than those of gravity and the air's resistance; the first inducing a descent of the projectile, the other impeding its flight. If in practice it is found that the first flight of a shot (projected from a piece four feet above an horizontal plane, the direction of the piece being strictly parallel to the plane) exceeds half a second, the air must not only impede its flight, but must also retard its descent in a much greater degree than would obtain from the resistance produced by the velocity of the shot's descent the mean velocity of the shot's descent being, to the end of the half second, only eight feet per second, the resistance due to such velocity may be wholly disregarded. That the shot is, however, prevented by some means from dropping freely, experiments have, it is believed, established beyond a doubt. In the absence of any thing that may be elicited upon the subject of a shot's suspension, it is suggested, that when a shot is projected with great velocity, the air must necessarily be very much compressed before its foremost hemisphere; and if the projection be near the earth's surface, the shot, encompassed by air in an exceedingly dense state, is opposed to an unyielding material below, the resistance of which may tend to support the shot in its trajectory. For the guidance of naval gunners, the following table of ranges is compiled: the ranges are adapted to the use of sights which are now generally supplied to His Majesty's ships : Ranges of a 32 pounder long gun, 9 1-2 feet; charge 10 lbs. 11 oz. powder, single shot; initial velocity, 1600 feet. Elevation in Range in R L 1-2 1 112 221-2 3 31-2 4 41.2 551-2 6 100 390 670 900 1090 1250 1390 1515 1630 1740 1850 1955 2055 First differences 230 230 190 160 140 125 115 110 110 105 100| The above ranges are measured by a line supposed to be extended horizontally from the mouth of the piece. As the first 100 yards of the shot's trajectory nearly coincides with the hori zontal line, it is denominated right-line range. The ranges corresponding to the different angles of elevation are determined by the intersection of the horizontal line by the shot's trajectory. The first and second differences are added merely to show the law of increase of J. H. range. FOR THE MILITARY AND NAVAL MAGAZINE. PETTY OFFICERS OF THE NAVY. I have read with great pleasure in your July number, the article under the head of "Petty Officers of the Navy," by "A Landsman." I congratulate the country and the navy, that even a Landsman has directed his thoughts to this subject.For it does not require deep research to prove, that without attention bestowed to boys, in training them up for the navy, and in it, we can never have efficient warrant, petty officers and seamen, devoted to the navy. We may have the best officers and ships, but to make our naval armament complete, attention must be paid to the inferior classes. Having devoted myself from early youth to the naval service of our country, every thing connected with its improvement is read with pleasure; and this subject has been frequently brought. to my mind, as one of importance to our navy; an 1, as I have not seen any thing proposed by those at the head of the navy, I will proceed to detail a plan, that appears to me, calculated to accomplish the wishes of "a Landsman," and which has this to recommend it to the favorable notice of the Navy Department, it will be attended with little or no expense. OUTLINE OF A PLAN FOR TRAINING UP BOYS IN THE NAVY. 1. Boys from 13 to 15 years old, to be bound as apprentices to the navy, to serve until of age: none with personal defects to be taken. The sons of seamen to be preferred. 2. The first three or four years to serve on board ships of the line and frigates; the remainder of their term of service, on board the smaller vessels. 3. On board of every vessel to be under the particular charge of an officer appointed for that purpose, by the Navy Department or the Captain, to act as guardian of the boys; who will every six months, or oftener if required, make a particular report of the character and capacity of each boy. 4. The boys are not to be employed as servants or waiters; but are to be stationed in the different parts of the ship, and some with the boatswain, gunner, carpenter, sail maker, cooper, and armorer, to be brought up to fill these stations when vacancies occur, if found qualified to perform the duties. 5. A school to be kept for the boys, that they may all receive a good English education, in addition to the instruction they receive to fit them for the particular station they are intended for. 6. They are all to be instructed fully in the use of great guns, as a matter of the first importance; and also to be taught the use of the pike, musket, and cutlass. 7. In port, they are frequently to be sent in boats, that they may become expert in their management, either with oars or sails. 8. The first three years, to be rated boys of the second class: the remainder of their time, to be rated boys of the first class; but if before their time expires, they can perform ordinary seaman's duty, to be rated O. S. The pay of the boys to be under the particular direction of the guardian, who is to obtain the captain's approval to all expenditures on their account. And all their pay, beyond their necessary expenses for clothing, &c. to be retained until their discharge, or subject to such regulation as may be made by the Secretary of the Navy. 9. The pure morality of the bible should be early impressed upon their minds, and they should be taught, that their success in life will, in a great degree, depend upon their correct conduct in whatever situation they may be placed. By adopting a plan something like the above, the navy will soon become popular with that class of the community we must always depend upon for seamen; and we shall raise up a class of men, who will be identified with the navy, fit for all the inferior stations, and whose fidelity may be at all times depended on. The number of boys on board of each vessel might be, it is thought, increased from a fourth to a third more than the number at present allowed, without lessening their efficiency. This plan will be attended with very little expense, as these boys are intended to take the place of those now employed, and at the same pay. Their school master may be the same that is now employed, on board all our vessels larger than a schooner, for the midshipmen; or if it is thought best to have one expressly for the boys, this will be the only additional expense. To ensure the proposed benefit to the navy, from training up boys in this way, inducements should be held out to them to remain in the service after they have served their apprenticeship: By not discharging them, if they wish to remain in the service By giving them a short leave of absence, after re turning from a cruise: and by appointing them to fill all the important stations on board ship, when found fully qualified. And finally, by rendering them morally certain of a comfortable birth in the Asylum, or at some of our naval stations, when old and unfit for active service at sea. Other benefits would, in the opinion of the writer, follow, besides those above mentioned; but it is hoped that enough has been said to draw attention to this subject, with the hope and belief that, the more it is examined, the more important it will appear; and the perfect ease with which the plan suggested can be carried into operation, is not the least of its recommendations. The above is submitted with great diffidence, to "A Landsman and the Navy, by A JUNIOR OFFICER. FOR THE MILITARY AND NAVAL MAGAZINE. PROVIDENT SOCIETY. It was with much pleasure that I perused an article in your last number, headed "Hints for a Military and Naval Provident Society." An institution of this character has been loudly called for, by the sufferings of the families of deceased officers, who, in many cases have fallen from a state of ease and plenty, to that of absolute want and destitution. That such will be the case again and again, needs but little sagacity to foresee, unless the officers themselves, by their united exertions, through a Provident Society, or some similar institution, succeed in averting it. The design met with the unqualified approbation of all of the officers of this post, who are ready and willing (I doubt not without a single exception) to bind themselves to contribute the amount proposed in the above mentioned article, and will forward the subscription paper as soon as any one is designated to receive the same. Although the general plan proposed was approved of by the officers of this post, still there was one principal feature which they considered very objectionable, as being unjust in itself, and calculated to prejudice the best interests of the society. I allude to that which would exclude from the benefits of the society, the families of deceased officers who leave an unincumbered estate, or a stated income. Such officers would consider their contributions to the society as charitable donations, or as a grievous tax, which yielded no corresponding benefit. And in truth they would be nothing less than a tax, and one to which few would be found so charitable as to voluntarily submit. Thus would the society be deprived of the aid of that portion of the officers most competent to yield it. To say nothing of the evil tendency it would have, in removing all stimulus to a prudent and decent economy, so praiseworthy in all of limited means. But in objecting to this one item, let it be distinctly understood, that the general plan meets with their approbation, and the friends to the institution may rely upon their most zealous cooperation for its organization and support. Should there be no one designated, before the receipt of this, I would suggest that some persons, (perhaps some public spirited individuals residing in Washington, or other central position, may volunteer,) be appointed to receive the names of subscribers, and take such other measures as they may deem necessary, to the selection of a committee, to draw up articles of association, &c. These appointments might be made by nominating an adequate number in the Military and Naval Magazine, and should there be no objection made within a reasonable time, to any of the nominees, let them be considered as duly elected. The above suggestions are humbly made, to be adopted only in the absence of more judicious ones, and proceeds solely from a zealous desire to promote an object of the last importance to all concerned. R. E. Fort Brady, August 9, 1833. FOR THE MILITARY AND NAVAL MAGAZINE. EXAMINATION OF MIDSHIPMEN. Why is it that a Board of Visiters are invited to attend the examination of the cadets at West Point, and not that of the midshipmen of our navy? Separated as we are by the ocean from those countries, to which we are most liable to be opposed, the navy, it is to be presumed, would at all events bear an equal burden of a war. Acting, too, as the navy officer often does, as the representative of his country, should he be of less interest to that country than the officer of the army? . In the examination of midshipmen, the Board is composed of three or five Post Captains, who are to decide upon the qualifications of each candidate, in seamanship, gunnery, &c. Now it is well known, that in seamanship the most experienced seamen differ in opinion. Then the rank of those offi |