Much has been said about the improvement of good shooting in the Navy, and in this connection considerable praise is due to Admiral Jellicoe. Without his help--so a writer in the _United Service Journal_ once remarked, reflecting a judgment which is known to be well founded--the good work fostered by Admiral Sir Percy Scott would have been heavily handicapped--in fact, impossible; for the then Director of Naval Ordnance proved himself a man of original thought and prompt action, and one of the most capable gunnery experts in the Navy. During the time he was in command of the “Drake,” he turned it into one of the best shooting ships of the Navy, and while he was at the Admiralty as Director of Naval Ordnance Captain Jellicoe did all that was possible to ensure the guns mounted in ships in the first fighting line being fitted with the most up-to-date day and night sights, as well as to instal a fire-control set of instruments in each ship for “spotting” and controlling at long-range shooting. The fittings of the guns and gunnery appliances generally were also greatly improved during the tenure of his appointment. CHAPTER V OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE BRITISH NAVY From the current Navy Estimates the following particulars are taken of the number of officers and men voted in 1914-15 for the naval service. First the strength of the Reserves is given, then the number of active service ratings and lastly the aggregate mobilised for war: ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE (Consisting of Merchant Seamen, Yachtsmen, etc.) HOME FORCE--GENERAL SERVICE Numbers Numbers Voted borne on 1914- 1st Jan., 1915. 1914. OFFICERS. Executive Officers 1,340 } Com. Engr. Officers 140 } 1,790 Accountant Officers 120 } Warrant Engineers 190 } MEN. Leading Seamen 220 } Seamen 10,780 } Wireless Tel. Operators 120 } 17,280 Engine Rm. Art. 560 } Ldg. Strs. 110 } Stokers 5,490 } HOME FORCE--TRAWLER SECTION Officers 142 Men 1,136 COLONIAL BRANCHES NEWFOUNDLAND: Men 600 MALTA: Men 400 AUSTRALASIA: Officers -- Men -- ---- 21,348 19,467 ROYAL FLEET RESERVE (Consisting of Naval Seamen and others who have served in the Fleet for five years or more) MEN