that 1,400 men are really behind each shell which is fired, for if the helmsman were nervous at his wheel, it is manifest the guns would be moved enough to throw them off their target. If an engineman gave too much oil to his boilers, the increased steam pressure would forge the ship ahead too rapidly; if a radioman failed to accurately receive a signal from the observing aircraft, the range would be in error, as it also would if the aircraft observing the target failed to judge correctly the number of yards by which the projectiles were going over the target or falling short of it.
Gunnery Umpires, on a Platform Erected on the "California's" After-Turret Rifles, Watch the Shells Fired by the "West Virginia," While the Turret Motors Swing Them About
The day of firing is preceded by months of practice drills. All hands must be perfect at their stations. A slight error may mean the lives of a hundred shipmates. The drudgery of the work is relieved by thoughts and hopes of the coming "shoot." Drills not only include the gunners, but the rest of the ship's company. The enginemen are at their stations simulating war conditions; the hospital corpsmen are their battle dressing posts, the carpenters and shipfitters are at their repair stations ready to "clear away wreckage." It is an inspiring moment when the "West Virginia's" bugles are sounded throughout the ship by telephonic loud speakers, and 1,400 men spring to battle stations. Just as an intelligent trainer brings his athlete to a fighting edge and never permits him to go stale, so the shooting crews of the "West Virginia" are brought along until they are tense with the desire to see and hear the "big steel" thunder out its message to the waiting targets. Only the targets do not wait, but are towed rapidly by another vessel, which necessitates very fine adjustments to hit them. There is tension—but no nervousness. There must be perfect timing of all operations.
The turret is formed of three separate decks, all included in a great circular armored shaft of steel. On the top deck, the gunners stand on a narrow platform and work the guns; on the next deck down the shell room is located and shells are raised by electric elevators: on the next deck below is the powder room, from
