Thomas Brassey

“ In a long summer's day, the members of the London Brigade may embark in a gunboat at Erith or Gravesend, proceed to the Maplin Sands, off Shoeburyness—which is the most convenient place for firing practice over a sea range—and return to London by a convenient hour in the afternoon or evening. It will doubtless be the desire of every naval volunteer to avail himself of a sufficient number of opportunities for target practice, to secure his own efficiency. ”

“ In the artificial conditions of modern society, there are multitudes of men, who, in the ordinary exercise of their vocation, are unduly deprived of the opportunities for physical exercise and development. More especially is this true of the younger members of the professional and commercial classes. To them an appeal is now most earnestly made on behalf of the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers. In taking a part in our drills and exercises, they will do a work beneficial to themselves individually, and conducive to the welfare of their country. ”

“ It is to be observed that a mere oarsman, although not trained at the great guns, or in the use of rifle and cutlass, would be enabled to do good work in a service in which the use of boats must be largely resorted to; and that, in order to take a number at a gun mounted on a raft, such as the 'Nancy Dawson,' which the late Captain Cole improvised for our naval operations in the Sea of Azof, or to serve in a gun's crew in a floating battery for harbour defence, neither sea legs nor sea experience are indispensable qualifications. ”

“ A Court of Inquiry is not a judicial body; it has no power to administer an oath.
It is to be considered as a Board of which the Admiralty or an Officer in command of a Brigade or Corps may make use, to assist him in arriving at a correct judgment on any subject upon which it may be expedient to institute an inquiry. ”

“ Although, under the regulations, no fixed standard of efficiency is expressly required in an officer of the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteer force, those among them, who can command sufficient leisure for the purpose, will readily appreciate how excellent an effect must be produced by the personal example of an officer, who will take pains to make himself acquainted with the drills and exercises, in which the men under his command are instructed. ”

“ With the view of enlisting, in support of the Naval Volunteer movement, the potent influences which are derived from the esprit de corps, wherever it may reasonably and prudently be encouraged, it is proposed to associate certain batteries in the London brigade with some of the principal rowing and Corinthian yacht clubs on the Thames, and to give commissions to any gentlemen, otherwise eligible, who are instrumental in raising a full battery of Naval Volunteers. ”

“ While, however, all these inducements and attractions are withheld, a higher standard of efficiency in the officers and the men is properly insisted on. In presence of the difficulties which arise from the altered conditions of the service, some earnest friends of the Volunteer movement have been oppressed with doubts, as to the possibility of stimulating the patriotism of the country to such a pitch, that Volunteers shall still be forthcoming in a time of profound peace. ”

“ There is neither insurmountable difficulty, nor unduly fatiguing labour, in the drill at the great guns. The intricacies could be mastered in a few days, if the volunteers were kept continuously at drill, as they necessarily would be, should they ever be called out for actual service. ”

“ Every Brigade is required to provide a secure place for the custody of its small arm ammunition; but in cases where the store of ammunition is sufficiently large to make it desirable that it should be stored in the magazines of any of Her Majesty's ships, used as Drill Ships for the Volunteers, Commanding Officers of such ships will afford facilities for its reception.
Conveyance of Ammunition75. Every care is to be taken in the conveyance and general handling of ammunition, and the Regulations and customs of the Royal Navy in that respect are to be strictly adhered to. ”

“ The essential point in a volunteer corps is to secure men physically capable of doing their work, and who may be confidently relied upon as ready to serve, whenever they may be called upon.
The small-arm exercises are still more easily mastered. A rowing man will find himself able to use his cutlass efficiently in a few hours; and, after a couple of days of continuous drill, he would be able to go through the manual and platoon exercises with satisfactory smartness and precision. ”

“ A becoming modesty will deter any individual connected with the Volunteer service from arrogating to himself any share in the prestige and distinction, which are the special privilege of the regular services. ”

“ The officers of the Voulnteers will do their utmost to assist the naval officers to preserve discipline. They may, if they think fit, set an example to their men by taking an active part in all the duties and manual exercises. They may fall in at quarters, and take any number at the gun. In short, they may become, as much as they please, active working seamen and efficient practical gunners. ”

“ Naval officers of less exalted rank do not often retire, if they have a great zeal for the service. Some exceptions, however, there must be to this general rule; and it is probable that a certain number of retired officers from the junior ranks of the Navy will, hereafter, kindly offer their services to command brigades or batteries in the ports or districts, in which they may happen to reside. ”

“ But, as there are many who will be anxious to have a greater amount of exercise afloat, every volunteer, who wishes it, may embark once a year, and remain for a period of eight days in a gunboat, manned by a crew to be furnished from the battery to which he himself belongs. ”

“ Repairs of arms arising from fair wear, found to be necessary in order to make the arms serviceable, will be executed free of charge; the expense of other repairs will be borne by the Corps.
Allowance of AmmunitionAmmunition in the following proportion, to be Ammunition, reckoned from the 1st April in each year, is allowed:—
Storing of AmmunitionRequisitions for small arm ammunition, in accordance with the established proportion, are to be forwarded to the Commanding Officer of the nearest Drill Ship or District Coast Guard Ship for transmission to the nearest Control Officer. ”

“ The sterner sense of duty, which is now encouraged among the Volunteers for land service, is opposed to all attempts to gain popularity for the auxiliary forces by festivals, holidays, and entertainments. ”

“ It has already been explained that these qualifications may easily be acquired in a fortnight of continuous attendance at drill, by the application of a very ordinary amount of intelligence and attention. Service afloat not compulsoryThe regulations expressly avoid the imposition of any compulsory service afloat in time of peace. Target practice afloat is obviously essential to the efficiency of a naval gunner; and it is therefore desirable that every volunteer should have a fair number of opportunities of taking part in this useful exercise. ”

“ A Court of Inquiry may be re-assembled as often as the superior authority may deem necessary, and on every occasion of its meeting it is competent to receive and record new evidence.
Power of Commanding Officer to assemble.The Commanding Officer of a Brigade is authorised to assemble a Court of Inquiry, to investigate any matter with which he himself has the power of dealing. ”

“ Any Officer who does not attend the number of drills prescribed for the enrolled Volunteers of his Corps, to qualify them for certificates of efficiency, will not be allowed to retain his commission unless the Admiralty may see special reasons for a relaxation of this Regulation. ”

“ Unfortunately, so strong a measure would probably meet with an amount of resistance, which could not be overcome in this free country, where nothing affecting the social habits and prejudices of the people can be proposed, which is not universally popular. ”

“ A taste for maritime pursuits pervades this insular nation, and the hope may therefore be confidently entertained that the appeal, now made to the patriotism of the nautical and aquatic sections of the community, will not be urged in vain. ”

“ For those clubs which are established still higher up the river, where there is not sufficient water to float the 'Rainbow,' facilities for instruction may be provided by mounting a 64-pounder gun on a raft, which could be towed from place to place, and moored to the bank of the river adjacent to the boat-houses belonging to the clubs. ”

“ In order to enable the Admiralty to judge the qualifications of the persons recommended, the Commanding Officer will forward, with his recommendation, a statement giving the name, age, residence, place of education, and occupation or profession of the Candidate, as well as a Medical Officer's Certificate, stating that the Candidate is in good health and fit to perform the duties of an Officer. ”

“ For such duties those qualities are required which equally combine to make a good gunner and a good soldier, whether afloat or on shore—a fair share of physical strength and activity, intelligence, and, above all, courage and patriotism. ”

“ Naval opinions in favour of such a force.Eminent naval authorities have, for many years past, recommended the formation of a corps, for the purposes of coast defence, composed of persons who, while not possessing the wider experience of the seaman, are accustomed to the management of boats, and in the constant habit of going afloat. ”

“ District BrigadeWhen the Volunteers are not of sufficient strength at District any port to form a Brigade, the batteries enrolled on a part of the coast formed into a district, will be formed into a Brigade, and will be called a District Brigade. ”

“ They will be purely Staff Petty Officers, and will not be entitled, by virtue of their superior rank, to take the command of any of the Naval Volunteers, when a Petty Officer of the Corps is present, except for the purpose of instruction. ”

“ The Volunteer movementIn conclusion, it may not be superfluous to offer a few observations on the Volunteer movement generally. The most cogent inducements to Volunteer activity may appear to be wanting at the present time. Our country is happily not threatened with the danger of foreign invasion. ”

“ All arms issued to the Corps remain the property of Her Majesty's Government, and the Commanding Officer for the time being is held responsible for their being at all times in a serviceable state, and for their being returned into store when required in good condition, fair wear and tear excepted. ”

“ The epaulettes to be silver, and, instead of the anchor on the epaulette, there is to be a badge consisting of an anchor in the centre, surrounded by the words "R. N. A. Volunteers," embroidered in gold. ”

“ New Corps not to be formed under certain circumstances.10. The formation of a new Corps will not be sanctioned, unless a sufficient number of persons to form a Battery are prepared to enrol themselves, and whilst any Battery already existing in the locality is below its establishment. ”