OUT, BACK & HOME
Out, Back & Home...
A Competition Run was divide into three parts as follows:Run Out
Run Out to the First Action: Average Time 1 minute 25 Seconds.The crews marched through the double doors to the Start Line to the sound of 'Hearts Of Oak'. They quickly checked there gear then 'Manned the Loops' and prepared to start. The Thunderflash was struck and we were BURNING 2,3,4,5 Standby !...
At the exploding of the thunder flash the gun was raced from the start position down the side of the arena and manhandled over a five-foot wall. Men and equipment poured over; within seconds, wooden spars weighing 170lb were erected and wires rigged across the 28 foot chasm. Whilst the gun and limber were rapidly dismantled, the first men were hauled across, some carrying 120lb wheels over their shoulders. The gun carriage and gun barrel followed; the gun barrel, which weighed 900lb, was dropped into it’s carriage as if it was a toy. The remainder of the crew, wheels and limber were pulled over and, having raced through the opening in the second wall, which is too narrow for the gun and limber to pass through with wheels on, the crew engages the enemy with three rounds.
Run Back
The Run Back to the Second Action: Average Time 1 minute.A bugle call “Retire” was sounded. All the men and gear had to be withdrawn over the wall (the combined weight of the gun barrel and gun carriage was 1,250lbs and it went over in one piece!!) and then back across the chasm. The steel wire over the chasm was tested to some 12 tons and it sagged each time these heavy awkward shapes were hauled over. As soon as the last man of the crew, nicknamed the “Flying Angel”, was across the chasm, the rig was collapsed and three rounds were fired in a rearguard action.
Run Home
The Run Home to the Finish Line: Average Time 21 Seconds.At the sound of the “G” on the bugle these highly trained crews began the final phase of the competition; this was to take all of the equipment through the narrow gap in the Home Wall. With the 363lb limber going through in a flash and to the shouts of "Lift and Launch" and sundry other cries, the guns and carriages rapidly followed; in a matter of seconds the wheels were on, the pins are in and the crews raced flat out to the finishing line.
All three stages were carefully timed and the times added together. Rigorous time penalties were imposed if the drill was not carried out correctly; these were added later to the crew's actual running time to give the 'Official Time for each crew.
The crews competed twice daily with an additional two 'practice periods' for the duration of the tournament.
The daily results and fluctuating state of the competition were followed with great interest throughout the Royal Navy and were singled around the world to Ships and Establishments.
