This photo was titled "Anti-Torpedo Drill". The main defence against the new Torpedo Boats were the Nordenfelt guns.

Nordenfelt 4 barrel "machine guns" (left),
Manual Fine Weather Wheel ,
Binnacle ,
Nordenfelt QF 6 Pounder Gun
Steam Steering Wheel
Telegraph
and bugler.

photo from The Australasian, 28 May 1898
sponsored by Robert Lawson.