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Inefficient ships and defective sights would place the United States Navy at a disadvantage against the German Navy. Personnel and ordnance are satisfactory but defective sights prevent effective control of gunfire.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29
Henry Clay Taylor reports to President Roosevelt that the United States Navy is improving its marksmanship but remains inferior to Germany. He hopes that German style fire control exercises will be put in place during the winter. The Bureau of Ordnance is preparing the new sights needed for these exercises. Taylor suggests that a General Staff could help improve efficiency. He encloses a memorandum from Lieutenant Commander Sims regarding these issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29