-POUNDER NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED
CARRIAGE]

[Illustration: TYPES OF ARMS--4.7-INCH NAVAL GUN ON IMPROVISED MOUNTING]

Lieut. Frederick Egerton, of the _Powerful_, who was wounded by a shell
in the left knee and right foot, was promoted to the rank of Commander
in Her Majesty's fleet for special services with the forces in South
Africa. But his promotion came too late. He expired after some hours of
suffering.[4]

The Boers by now had established batteries on Grobler's Kloof,
a commanding eminence from whence they could attack both Ladysmith on
the north and Colenso on the south. Women and children vacated the
place, and the trains coming in and out had to run the gantlet of the
Boer fire, both Nordenfeldt quick-firing guns and Mauser rifles being
brought to bear on the refugees. The Boers, however, continued to salute
the town without much effect, while the naval gunners replied with
telling emphasis. They succeeded in dismounting the Boers' 40-pounder
which had been so comfortably posted on Pepworth's Hill.

The carriages and platforms on which the naval guns were mounted at
Ladysmith, and which proved so important a feature in promoting the
defence of the place, were specially designed by Captain Percy Scott of
the cruiser _Terrible_. In regard to this officer's resourcefulness the
_Times_ expressed an opinion that is worthy of remembrance:--

"Captain Percy Scott, of the _Terrible_, came to the rescue, adding one
more to the numerous instances in which this country has owed to
individual resource and initiative its escape from the disasters invited
by the incompetence of the War Office. There is no need to inquire just
now into the balance of political and military considerations which
determined the policy of making a stand at Ladysmith. It is enough that
that policy was definitely adopted in ample time to allow of providing
Ladysmith with the long-range guns which its position renders peculiarly
necessary, dominated as it is by hills on three sides. Why were such
guns not provided? Why was it left to fortunate accident to furnish the
garrison at the very last moment with the means of defence? The
conclusions of German military science, as will have been noted by all
who read the interesting account of German manoeuvres which we
published yesterday, are all in favour of saving the lives of the
infantry by a very free use of artillery at long ranges. The country
around Ladysmith seems to be one that calls loudly