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The guns fired before the King and Queen were those in the two after-turrets, and the targets used were the usual service ones, 16 ft. by 20 ft., with a central bull’s-eye 14 ft. square. The range was about a mile and a half, and six rounds were fired from each turret. Of the three shots placed outside the bull’s-eye, two went through the target, whilst the third, which missed, cut away the rope fastening the canvas of the target to the framework. Two of the shots in the bull’s-eye went through the very centre, through a small circle, about thirty inches in diameter, marked in the middle of the target.

We will conclude this outline of our Dreadnoughts’ story with a brief tabular statement of certain points in detail of comparison and contrast between the Dreadnought of to-day and the historic Victory.

THE DREADNOUGHT AND VICTORY COMPARED

DREADNOUGHT. VICTORY. Time Building 16 months Five years ten months Total Cost £1,797,497 £89,000 Displacement 17,900 tons 3400 tons. Total Weight Broadside 6800 lb. 1160 lb. Extreme Range of Guns 25 miles 3 miles. Penetration of armour at six miles 9 in. Krupp Steel Penetration at all distances Nil. Heaviest Gun 12 inch 6 inch. Weight of Charge 265 lb. (M.D. cordite). 10½ lb. (gunpowder). Time to make Gun 12 to 15 months Four guns a week. Cost per Gun £11,000 £57. 15s. Average Weight per Gun 58 tons 56 cwt. Complement 780 men 850 men. Length 490 ft. 226 ft. 6 in. Breadth 82 ft. 52 ft. Mean Load Draught 26 ft. 6 in. 25 ft. Number of Guns 37 104 Speed 21½ knots 10 knots.