Images of U.S. Navy Fire Control, Target Practice, and Gunnery
A NOTE FROM YOUR TOUR GUIDE: These images are not copyrighted or restricted in any way. But I do put a lot of time into collecting, curating, scanning, describing, and posting them to my website. I have no problem with these images being used but PLEASE site the source if you do.
Turrets and Turret Guns
Aft two turrets of a Delaware or Florida class battleship, but not cleared for action as the caption states…with all the sailors milling about on deck and atop the turrets, along with all the gear on deck. Note the range finders on top of these turrets.
This photo dates ca. 1918-20.
Battleship; dreadnaught; turret; rangefinder
Aft turret, likely No. 5 of 6 on a Wyoming class battleship, getting ready to fire, ca. 1910-20. Note the sailors on deck watching the action.
Battleship; dreadnaught; turret; battle practice; Wyoming-Class Battleship
Full salvo on an unidentified battleship, ca. 1910-20.
Battleship; dreadnaught; turret; gunnery; battle practice
Battle practice on an unidentified battleship, appears to be No. 1 and No. 2 turrets, ca 1910-20. This may be a Delaware or Florida-Class battleship. Note the 1 pound sub-caliber devices on the guns and the sailors atop the turrets to man them. Also note the spent shells between the guns in the foreground and the full shells under the sailor’s leg.
Battleship; dreadnaught; turret; battle practice; gunnery; sub-caliber device
Battle Practice Targets
A standard U.S. Navy target for battleship gunnery practice, ca. 1910-20. These were pulled behind battleships, tugs, or other vessels so that battleships could have practice shooting at moving targets, so that gunners could practice under more realistic conditions.
Battle practice; target; gunnery
Standard U.S. Navy target for battleship gunnery practice, ca. 1910-20. Note the tugboat and Virginia-Class battleship in the foreground.
Battleship; battle practice; gunnery; target; Virginia-Class battleship
A standard U.S. Navy battleship target after some use. This one is tended by a tugboat.
Battle practice; gunnery; target
U.S. Navy battleship target under repair, ca. 1910-20. The Navy used them until they were shot to pieces.
Battle practice; gunnery; target
The U.S. Navy battleship target after a lot of use, ca. 1910-20.
Battle practice; gunnery; target
Results of battle practice, Magdalena Bay, Mexico, March 1908.
This photo shows an early 20th century battleship target. Thirteen sailors have their heads in shell holes made during battle practice.
Battleship; battle practice; gunnery; target
Battle Practice
Battleship towing a target for battle practice, ca. 1910-20. This shows multiple shots hitting the water and ricocheting.
This photo also shows a practice called straddling, which is the practice of trying to get a majority of shots fired into a target with a few that fall short and a few that go over. The idea is that when firing a full broadside with guns of the same caliber, you can’t tell which shots are from which gun. You also can’t see exactly where shots fall at battle distance, which in the WWI-era was 4 to 10 miles. So you try to get a majority of shots into the target rather than all of them.
You can’t clearly see shots hitting the target but you can see splashes. If, when firing a full broadside at the target, you see a few shots short and a few long, you know that a majority are hitting the target. If they concentrate long or sort, or you see a lot of splashes spread in a line, you know you missing the target.
Battle practice; gunnery; target; straddling
This photo shows proper straddling and ricochets in battle practice, ca. 1918-20.
Battle practice; gunnery; target; straddling
Battle practice, U.S.S. Kansas (BB-21), 1910. This shows a target being pulled by a battleship, presumably U.S.S. Kansas. You can see splashes from shots and ricochets.
Battle practice; gunnery; target; Connecticut-Class battleship
Two photos showing battle practice, 15 December 1918.
Top photo shows shot from “U.S.S. P.” going through a battleship target. Caption, barely discernible at bottom left, reads “14 Inch Splash.” U.S.S. P is likely U.S.S. Pennsylvania (BB-38).
Bottom photo shows boats of sailors from U.S.S. Melville (AD-2) departing a larger ship. Note the target in the mid-ground, which is a standard U.S. Navy battle practice target for smaller ships like cruisers and destroyers. U.S.S. Melville was s destroyer tender but often assisted with fleet battle practice.
Battle practice; gunnery; target
Companion salvos during battle practice, ca. 1910-20. The top half of the photo shows poor straddling since the shots are spread too far apart. The bottom half shows a more proper salvo. You can see the target sticking up from the water in both photos.
Battleship; battle practice; target; straddling
“A View Behind the Target,” 1911. Inscription reads “splashes caused by the ricocheting of the shells striking the water.” Note the target at right and a battleship in the distance.
Battleship; battle practice; target; straddling
U.S.S. Delaware (BB-28) at battle practice, 4 February 1916. Image shows a salvo hitting the target towed by Delaware.
Battleship; battle practice; target; straddling; Delaware-Class battleship
Battle practice aboard U.S.S. Arkansas (BB-33), a Wyoming-Class battleship, 6 October 1915. Note the rangefinder atop turret No. 5 and the sailors standing between turrets No. 4 and 5 and aft of turret No. 6.
This is first of a three photo set.
Battleship; battle practice; turret; rangefinder; Wyoming-Class battleship
Battle practice aboard U.S.S. Arkansas (BB-33), a Wyoming-Class battleship, 6 October 1915. Arkansas is pulling a target for U.S.S. Texas. Note the sailors and Marines standing on the fantail and atop turret No. 6.
This is second of a three photo set.
Battleship; battle practice; turret; target; Wyoming-Class battleship
Battle practice aboard U.S.S. Arkansas (BB-33), a Wyoming-Class battleship, 6 October 1915. Arkansas is pulling a target for U.S.S. Texas. Note the officers, sailors, and Marines standing atop turret No. 6 and on the fantail.
This is third of a three photo set.
Battleship; battle practice; turret; target; Wyoming-Class battleship