The Devastation In Action

The great British ironclad Devastation lecently took part in a mock naTal action. The London Daily Telegrwph says : " All the men, from the captain to the lowest grade, were under orders to be on board by 9 a. m. At 9.30 the drum beat to quarters, it being understood that in the pilot tower an enemy's ship had been sighted in the distance. The captain took his ' post within the shell-proof-tower, and gave his commands through speaking-tubes. The turrets were manned by their full complement of men, 24 to each gun, 11 taking inside an 13 outside positions in working each. From the turrets down to the magazines every traphole was manned. On the word being given to ' load guns ' the 700 pound shells were within a minute brought out, hoisted on the pulley carriage, run down to the gun's mouth, and the gun loaded and run out. The distance from the enemy being given, the gun was raised to the proper level, and discharged within the second minute. The enemy, being supposed to have escaped, bore down on the Devastation, and boats put off to board her. The bugle sounded to arms to . repel the boarders, when two-thirds of the men of the crew - comprising 100 men each división - flew to arms, and with swords and guns ran up to the boarding-deck, the third división remaining below to protect the magazines, and as a reserve. Ihe boats being repuised, it was supposed that th.e enemy had returned to their gun, and that a shell having burst had set fire to the Dvasiation. On this three bells were rung, and the men were ordered to the hose. Four hose were set in operation on the soumdings of the j gle, and the forepart of the ship was deluged with water ai the rate of about Ihree tong per minute. The i ry fire being got under, the bugle 80unded to return to posts, the enemy's ship still approaching. The order was next given to ' ram ' her. All the men returned to the breastwork deck, and lying down with their heads forward, prepared for tho shock. The imaginary enemy being pierced, the drum again beat to quarters, guns were reloaded, and after backing out from the supposed disabled ship, a broadside of four guns were poured into her. This was not supposed to have destroyed the enemy, and the bugle sounded to secure the guns. On the captain receiving reporta that everything was secured, the bugle then sounded dismissal."