 |
With a gun's crew of six men, all the numbers retain the same stations and duties, excepting that No. 5 also acts as Shotman, and No. 2 attends to the handspike and train-tackle in addition to the duties of 2d Captain.
153. This arrangement exhibits the gun's crew placed as the men should stand when first assembled at quarters, either for inspection or any ordinary exercise. It is intended that the men are then to stand parallel with the gun, and facing in-board.
CALLS FOR ASSEMBLING AT QUARTERS.
154. BEATS OF DRUM.
1st. THE ORDINARY BEAT will be the call for INSPECTION at general quarters.
2d. The ORDINARY BEAT, preceded by ONE ROLL—EXERCISE at general quarters, without powder.
3d. The BEAT QUICK—ACTION; or EXERCISE at general quarters with powder, as though engaged in BATTLE.
4th. WHEN AT QUARTERS, a roll of the drum will be a signal for "SILENCE AND ATTENTION!" All firing or other noise will immediately cease, and the next order be awaited in perfect silence. It is of the utmost importance to impress this upon the officers and crew.
5th. When the Captain is satisfied that his order has been delivered and understood, he will order TWO TAPS to be beaten, as a signal for the "EXECUTION OF THE ORDER." The roll and the taps to be given sharply and distinctly.
155. On assembling at quarters for inspection or general exercise, unless directed otherwise, in port, the men are first to go to the starboard guns on the spar-deck, the port guns on the main deck, the starboard guns on the next deck below, and so on. At sea they are first to go to the weather guns, or, if the ship be dead before the wind, to the same sides as in port.
156. When assembled for inspection, besides seeing that all the guns and articles belonging to them are in order and in place, it is directed that the men, without arms or implements, or casting loose the guns, shall be frequently called away and mustered in their stations as Boarders, Pikemen, Sail-trimmers, and Firemen; and also practised in shifting from one side to the other, and in taking their places for fighting both sides at once.
157. On assembling for exercise at general quarters without powder, after the men have been mustered and the divisional reports made, the order will be given: "CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
Then the starboard watch will provide and cast loose the odd-numbered guns, and the port watch will provide and cast loose the even-numbered guns.
The 1st parts of guns' crews on the starboard side providing and casting loose the starboard, and the 2d parts the port guns. The 1st parts of guns' crews on the port side the port, and the 2d parts the starboard guns. In securing guns the same order of distributing the men is to be observed.
When both these services of providing and casting loose have been performed, and the luffs choked or hitched and trucks chocked, the men are all to return to the guns at which they were mustered, and, taking their places, await in silence further orders, if not already given.
158. When assembled for exercise as though actually engaged in battle, besides what is prescribed for an exercise at general quarters without powder, the further preparations indicated hereafter will be made. The guns' crews will proceed at once to provide and cast loose both sides without waiting to be mustered, or for any further orders.
159. The call for BOARDERS to repair to the spar-deck will be by the rattle and verbal order, repeated by the Officer of each division of guns. They should be trained to form promptly on the opposite side to that engaged, near the hatch by which they ascend.
On the first call or order, the first division only will repair to the spar-deck, led by their officers. If the call or order should be repeated before the first division shall have returned to their guns, the second division will immediately repair to the spar-deck.
160. The call for PIKEMEN to "repel boarders" will be by sounding the Gong. At this signal all the Pikemen will assemble on the spar-deck with their muskets.
161. ALL HANDS will be summoned to repel boarders (See Article 92) by springing the rattles and sounding the gong together, and by verbal orders.
162. SAIL-TRIMMERS. The particular division that may be wanted at a time will be called by passing the word for it.
163. The call for FIREMEN to repair to the spar-deck will be given verbally and by striking the ship's bell rapidly. The rapid ringing of the bell will be the FIRE-ALARM at all times, when the crew will immediately assemble at quarters.
164. Boarders, Pikemen, and Sail-trimmers of the spar-deck guns, or any portion of them, and of the Master's division, as well as the Marines, may be ordered from their quarters to perform a particular service, without any call, whenever the Captain may deem proper.
165. Men called for any of the foregoing duties will, on reaching the spar-deck, form on the gangway, upon the side not engaged with the enemy, unless otherwise directed at the time.
166. When called to quarters, every person is to repair to his station promptly and without unnecessary noise; and on the order, "to your quarters," all will return to their stations in the same manner.
PREPARATIONS FOR EXERCISE AT GENERAL QUARTERS, WITHOUT POWDER.
167. Sling the topsail yards and gaffs, and put the preventer braces in place; distribute fighting stoppers and jiggers; stopper the clews of the topsails; get whips on each side of the lower masts for tricing up the pendant tackles, and also the mast-bands and fishes required for securing a crippled mast. Make arrangements for using grapnels; get hauling-lines ready for sending small arms and ammunition into the tops; if not on soundings, haul over boat and boom covers and stop them down; bring up and stow, if down, such hammocks as interfere with the guns, or are in the way of the powder division;[4] haul over and secure the hammock-cloths; hook and mouse the relieving-tackles; place the spare tiller and compass at hand; put the chronometers, and other instruments of navigation, out of the reach of shot; distribute the small arms together with their accoutrements and a supply of filled cartridges, to the men appointed to use them; place axes and hatchets at hand on the spar-deck for clearing away incumbrances at guns; grapnels in mizzen channels with whips to after-davits and spanker-boom end, to hook up any gear likely to foul the screw. In steam vessels, topgallant masts and rigging ready to be sent down and all unnecessary gear unrove.
If underway and on soundings, get the boats ready for hoisting out; the ground-tackle ready for use and keep it clear, and make every preparation for towing, warping, and anchoring with springs on cables; stopper the chains; get lights in the light-rooms, including those of the shell-rooms; light powder division; also gun-decks, if at night, and it be ordered by the Captain; drop magazine screens; get shot and shell whips, and buckets or nets, in place; rig canvas chutes for returning empty passing-boxes; remove every obstruction to the free passage of powder; clear away and open shot-lockers; see the hatchways of the next deck above the powder division properly covered; division and fire-tubs in place, with wet swabs by them, and at the landing of each line of scuttles through which the passing-boxes pass; rig main, force, and channel pumps and fire-engine, which fill with water; get light Jacob-ladders and slings ready for lowering the Carpenters outside, and materials for stopping shot-holes; take down cabin and other bulkheads, when directed, and pass them below; sand the decks; place a bucket of water and a wet swab in rear of each gun, and for all rifle-guns a bucket of oil or prepared grease; have spare breechings at hand; rope ladders for hatchways in place; a bag, to be supplied from one reserve-box, containing a flask of priming-powder and the following spare articles: two locks, four lock-strings, eight thumbstalls, two boring-bits, two priming-wires, a shackle-punch and pins and some old rags, to be slung round the neck of the Quarter Gunner of each division of guns; rammers and sponges placed, and the latter uncapped; one worm in place, on each side of the deck, for each division, and a ladle at hand for each calibre on board; pistols, in frogs furnished with cartridges and caps, and cutlasses and battle-axes, belted round the respective persons designated to wear them; marines accoutred and under arms, and distributed as the Captain may direct; tourniquets to be distributed as may be judged necessary. (See Articles 139 and 151.)
PREPARATIONS FOR EXERCISE AT GENERAL QUARTERS, WITH POWDER, AS THOUGH ENGAGED IN BATTLE.
168. Crew cast loose the guns; shell-rooms and magazine are opened; powder and shells passed up, and every thing ready for firing, the order for which is awaited. If the beat is followed by orders from the quarter-deck to fire, then this is performed as soon as each gun is ready. In this case, besides what has just been prescribed for a General Exercise without powder, the following further preparations will be made: Put out galley fire and all unauthorized lights; light match and place it in manger; open magazines and powder-tanks, and also shell-rooms, when ordered; close and secure air-ports; fill division and fire tubs with fresh water; place cans of fresh water and wet swabs in magazines and shell-rooms; light up the cockpit, or other place, for the wounded; place mattresses, and if there be room, sling spare cots; get ready the amputating-table, instruments, bandages, lint, medicines; have a plentiful supply of fresh water and swabs, and sprinkle the decks. Make a particular examination of all the arrangements for extinguishing fire; see that force-pumps and hose are in good order, and the men stationed at them in their places.
Speed being one of the principal elements of military force, steamers will, on going into action, have all the furnaces clean, and the fires in condition to make steam rapidly.
The beat to quarters for action is therefore a signal to start fires in any furnaces not in use.
PROVIDING BROADSIDE-GUNS.
169. When the exercise of broadside-guns is to be confined to one side only, each gun's crew is to provide its own gun, on the side at which it is ordered to assemble, as follows: but when the guns on both sides are to be exercised at once, each part of a gun's crew is to provide its own gun; each Captain, Loader, Sponger, &c., doing separately what is done by both himself and his second when the exercise is confined to one side only.
170. Captains of guns to provide themselves with percussion-primers, thumbstalls, and priming-wire, and to see that the men of their respective parts of the gun's crew discharge their several duties promptly and carefully.
171. Spongers provide sponges and rammers.
172. Loaders provide a bucket of water and a wet swab; and, for rifle cannon, a pot of oil or prepared grease.
173. Shell or shotmen provide a sufficient supply of selvagee and six junk-wads, and supply the racks around the hatchways with shot from the lockers as required.
174. Handspikemen see the handspikes in place, and then assist in getting up shot for the guns; and, if necessary, in covering hatchways in the division.
175. The Powderman or Boy is to provide an empty passing-box, if no powder is to be used; otherwise he is to present himself at the appointed place to receive a full one.
176. The Fireman is to take down the fire-bucket, and place it and the battle-lantern in their appointed places. On gun-decks the lantern should be hung up at the ship's side, or in rear of and between the guns, as may be directed, and lighted when ordered by the Captain, and the fire-bucket directly in rear of the gun. On spar-decks the bucket may be laid on the deck, or hung up in any convenient place in rear of and near the gun.
177. Side-tacklemen provide sand and water, and sprinkle and sand the decks, if directed; and get bucket and swab from the hold, fill the bucket with water, wet the sponge and the swab, and lay it on deck under the sponge.
178. Quarter Gunners of divisions, besides equipping themselves, as already directed (Article 167), with a bag of spare implements, will attend to the "Supply" and "Reserve" boxes of their divisions (See Article 150), and distribute the belts, primer-boxes, and other articles which they contain, to the guns' crews, as soon as practicable, and then keep themselves ready to furnish any reserved or spare articles which may be required, such as spare breechings, ladles, and worms, and will see the battle-lanterns provided with candles with primed wicks, ready for lighting when ordered by the Captain.
179. The swords and pistols should be always available for the Boarders, at the shortest notice; but their particular disposition at quarters, and at what time the pistols shall be loaded, will be determined by the Captain, as in his judgment circumstances at the time may require. Pistols should be loaded, on the probability of action, without further orders.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DELIVERING AND DISTRIBUTING POWDER.
180. In making arrangements to deliver and distribute powder from the magazines, for action, the following general considerations and rules should govern:
181. Cartridges, as experience proves, can be passed up each independent chain of scuttles leading from the magazine to the point at which the Powder-boys are to receive the full boxes, at the rate of one every six or seven seconds.
182. Experience also proves that, under the most favorable circumstances, the broadside-guns of a man-of-war cannot be advantageously fired oftener than once in every seventy-five seconds.
Hence it may be received as a rule, that a single chain of passing-scuttles is abundantly sufficient to supply powder for a division of guns as large even as eight of a side; and that it is also sufficient when both sides of such a division are to be used at once, for then the firing of each piece is unavoidably retarded by the division of the guns' crews.
183. No one chain of scuttles should be required to supply cartridges for more than a single description of guns,[5] unless their cartridges be the same in diameter, weight, and form, and their passing-boxes alike, as in the case of the 8-inch shell-gun of 63 cwt. and the 32-pounder of 57 cwt. If, therefore, there be on a deck of guns but one differing from the rest in calibre, class, or assimilation of cartridges, that one should have a separate chain of scuttles for its supply, in order to guard effectually against confusion, or, at least, delay. In a word, each additional calibre or class of guns, unless the cartridges be assimilated and the passing-boxes alike, involves an additional chain of passing-scuttles for its supply; and it should be borne in mind that errors with respect to cartridges of guns of the same calibre, but differing in class, are more to be apprehended than with guns differing only in calibre.
184. If the guns on a deck be all of the same calibre and class, or of like cartridges and passing-boxes, then one chain of scuttles to supply the forward half of those guns, and another to supply the after half, will be all-sufficient.
185. For each chain of passing-scuttles there will probably have to be—
One man in the magazine to deliver charges from the tanks.
One man in the passage to receive and pass those charges through the scuttle in the orlop or berth deck.
One man at the passage-scuttle on the orlop or berth deck, to receive the charges and pass them to the screen.
One man just outside of the screen, to receive the charges through a flapped hole therein, and put them in the empty passing-boxes.
One, two, or three Runner-boys (according to the distance) to run, on the orlop or berth deck, with full passing-boxes, from the screen to the scuttles through the deck, and back again with the empty boxes to the screen.
One man, a very careful one, at the bottom of the canvas chute, to receive the empty passing-boxes, strike them, in an inverted position, over the fire-tub, and inspect them carefully before allowing them to be taken away to be replenished.
One man, on the orlop or berth deck, at the passing-scuttle through the deck above, to pass up full boxes.
One man at the passing-scuttle on the next deck above the orlop or berth deck, to receive and pass up full boxes, or, in the case of a single-deck vessel, or of distribution on the main deck of a frigate, or on the lower deck of a ship-of-the-line, to receive and deliver them to Powder-boys.
One man at the passing-scuttle on the second deck above the orlop or berth deck, to receive and pass up full boxes; or, in the case of a frigate, or distribution on the main deck of a ship-of-the-line of two decks, to receive and deliver them to Powder-boys.
And one man at the passing-scuttle on the third deck above the orlop, to receive and deliver full boxes to Powder-boys on the spar-deck of a ship-of-the-line of two decks.
Thus each chain of scuttles will require—
Seven men to supply its guns on the first deck above; as, for example, the lower deck of a ship-of-the-line, the main deck of a frigate, or the spar-deck of a sloop-of-war, or other single-deck vessel.
Eight men for the spar-deck of a frigate, for the main deck of a ship-of-the-line of two decks, or for the middle gun-deck of a ship-of-the-line of three decks.
Nine men for the spar-deck of a ship-of-the-line of two decks, or for the main deck of a ship-of-the line of three decks.
And ten men for the spar-deck of a ship-of-the-line of three decks.
Besides, each of these numbers—7, 8, 9, and 10—is to be increased by two or three Runner-boys, for the purposes above described.
186. In vessels of and above the class of frigates, or having two magazines—one forward and the other aft—the forward half of the guns on each deck is to be supplied from the forward magazine, and the after half from the after magazine. Thus, for each deck of guns, one scuttle at each of the two magazines, together with its corresponding chain of scuttles, will be sufficient, if all the guns be of the same calibre and class, or have like charges. But the introduction on board of any vessel of guns differing in either of these respects will involve the necessity above stated of a separate scuttle of delivery at the magazine, and also of a distinct chain of scuttles connected with it, for the exclusive supply of each variety of charges that may be introduced.
In this case, the exceptional guns should be supplied, whenever practicable, from the larger magazine, when there are two differing in size.
187. In single-deck vessels carrying more than sixteen guns, all of the same calibre and class, and having but one magazine, two scuttles at that magazine will be sufficient—one to supply the forward half of guns, and the other the after half.
188. In single-deck vessels carrying only sixteen guns, or less, all of the same calibre and class, or having like charges, one scuttle at the magazine will suffice.
189. Should any single-deck vessel be of such great length, or so remarkable in her armament of guns, although all of the same calibre and class, as to render additional scuttles advisable, they are to be cut.
PASSING-SCUTTLES.
190. All the powder is to be passed up from the orlop or berth deck through circular scuttles, cut in the deck or decks at places, as nearly as circumstances will permit, immediately abreast of the middle of the particular set of guns to the supply of which each chain of scuttles is specially appropriated. Besides these scuttles for passing the powder up, there are to be corresponding ones for each set, provided with a canvas chute for returning the empty boxes below. The drawing shows the manner of supplying an upper deck and returning the empty boxes from it. Each deck is to be supplied in like manner, by a distinct and separate arrangement, through as many independent sets of scuttles as may be required by the preceding "Arrangements for delivering and distributing powder."
191. Each scuttle is to have a tompion or other means of closing it, so as to be water-tight when not in use, and to be so placed or regulated in height as not to interfere with the transportation of guns.
192. Should any serious difficulty arise in finding places for cutting any of the different sets of scuttles through the decks, or in the cases of small or very wet vessels, recourse may be had to the gratings of the hatchways. Still, they are always to be cut through the decks whenever it can be done with propriety.
193. For each scuttle at the magazine for the delivery of powder there must be a corresponding flap-hole in the magazine screen, and this is to be regarded as a part of the chain of supply equally with the scuttle itself.
194. When on board ship there are any guns of the same calibre and class, or of assimilated charges, carried on two consecutive decks, all of them may be supplied by the same chain of scuttles, provided the whole number of guns thus made to depend upon this chain does not exceed eight of a side. For instance, under the circumstances stated, the chase, or a few shell or other guns on a spar-deck, may be supplied by a chain of scuttles intended principally for the main-deck guns; or, the shell-guns on a main deck being few, may be supplied by a chain intended principally for the deck below.
195. In delivering cartridges from the magazines for serving guns, they are to be passed up from the magazine to the orlop or berth deck before they are put into the passing-boxes, which, in time of action, or when exercising with powder, after being once taken out of the magazine, are not, on any account, to be allowed to go into it again, or even inside of the screen, during the whole time of such action or exercise. They are to be replenished at the screen, but outside of it.
196. All passing-boxes shall be painted black, with the calibre and charge painted in white letters, two and one-half inches (2-1/2) long on the side, and one and a half (1-1/2) on the top.
197. If, however, there are any guns of the same calibre on spar-decks requiring lighter charges, the lower half of the box shall be painted white. For gun-decks in similar case the lower half shall be painted red.
198. Empty passing-boxes returned by the chutes are always to be landed upon wet swabs, and then to be turned upside down, and so struck over a fire-tub, as before directed, to free them from any loose powder.
199. One fire-tub, nearly filled with water, is to be placed on the deck, alongside the bottom of each chute for returning empty boxes. The top of this tub is to be provided with a stout hoop to ship and unship, with a grating of stout copper wire, the meshes of which are to be made small enough to prevent the passing-box from falling into the water, in case of slipping from the man's hand while being struck over the tub.
SHOT AND SHELL.
200. Shot and shell are to be passed up by hand, or whipped up, by the most convenient hatchways. The hands stationed below at the lockers are to work the whips, each of which, being fitted with a toggle, will indicate when the projectiles are hoisted high enough. In case a shot-locker should be somewhat removed from the hatchway, up which the shot are to be passed or whipped, the shot may be speedily conveyed over the distance by means of a wooden trough fitted for the purpose.
HATCHWAY FOR THE WOUNDED.
201. One hatchway, or portion of a hatchway, and that as nearly amidships as possible, is to be reserved for lowering the wounded below, and to be properly provided with a cot or cots, having a whip to each.
NAVAL GUN-CARRIAGES.
202. All gun-carriages and their equipments are to be made in conformity with directions from the Bureau of Ordnance.
NOMENCLATURE OF ORDINARY NAVAL TRUCK-CARRIAGE.
WOODEN PARTS.
Carriage.
A. Brackets of large truck-carriages are made each of two pieces, joined by a jog a, and dowelled. The remaining parts of the brackets are the trunnion-holes b, steps c, quarter-rounds d, and arch e. B. Transom, let into brackets. C. Breast-piece, in two parts—the inner part fixed, by two bolts, into transom; the outer part movable, connected by hinges. D. Front and rear axletrees, consisting each of square body f, and arms g, jogged into brackets. E. Front and rear trucks. F. Dumb trucks. G. Bed and stool. H. Quoin.
Implements.
I. Handspikes. K. Chocking-quoin.
METAL PARTS.
Carriage.
1. Two cap-squares. 2. Four cap-square bolts and two keys and chains. 3. Two bracket-bolts. 4. Two rear axletree-bolts. 5. Two side-tackle eye-bolts. 6. One train-tackle eye-bolt. 7. One transporting eye-bolt. 8. Two breast-bolts. 9. Two hinges of breast-pieces. 10. Two transom-bolts (upper and lower). 11. Two breeching side-shackles and pins. 12. Bed-bolt. 13. Four axletree bands. 14. Chafing-plates of steps and brackets. 15. Four linchpins and washers. 16. Quoin-plate and stop. 17. Ratchet for quoin-stop. 18. Four training loops. 19. Breeching-thimble (cast iron). 20. Side-shackle bolts for breechings. 21. Shackle-pin, plates, and keys. 22. Two axle-stays. 23. Handspike-shoe.
OF PARTS PECULIAR TO MARSILLY CARRIAGE.
A. The lowest piece of the bracket, in place of the rear truck of ordinary carriages. B. Rear transom, in place of rear axle. C. Breast-piece (fixed). D. E. Sweep-pieces. D. Fixed below the port-sill E. Movable, with brass catches (f f) and hooks and eyes (g g). H. Elevating screw and lever, with saucer (I) in place of bed and quoin. K. Roller handspike. L. Loop for handspike.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Marsilly carriages require a roller handspike each.
[2] The rammers and sponges belonging to the broadside-guns of spar-deck divisions of all ships having topgallant forecastles, or other light decks, may be kept under the forecastle or light deck when not in use. In ships not provided with these decks they are to be kept at the guns inside the brackets; or, if that cannot be done, triced up overhead on the next deck below.
[3] The spare breechings should never be stowed near the galley nor Engine-room, lest they be damaged by heat and moisture.
[4] The Executive Officer of the ship should appoint a sufficient number of men in each watch for the purpose of stowing the hammocks of the watch below in case of being called to quarters in the night, so as to prevent confusion and insure the greatest possible dispatch in clearing for action.
[5] See Table of Charges for Great Guns.
CHAPTER IV.
MANUAL EXERCISE.
EXERCISE OF BROADSIDE-GUNS,
ON ONE SIDE ONLY.[6]
IX-INCH SHELL-GUN (as an example).
203. WORDS OF COMMAND.
I. "SILENCE! MAN THE STARBOARD (OR PORT) GUNS!"
II. "CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
III. "RUN IN!" (preparatory).
IV. "SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
V. "LOAD!"
VI. "RUN OUT!"
VII. "PRIME!"
VIII. "POINT!"
IX. "READY—FIRE!"
X. "SECURE!"
It is customary to keep the guns of the Battery loaded at sea; it has been found that the fire of a ship could be commenced in three minutes from the beat of drum, the guns being secured for sea, and no notice of what was contemplated announced to men or officers save by the signal for quarters.
This form of exercise therefore proceeds on the assumption that the cannon are not loaded, but the order of the commands may be varied to suit the circumstances of the case.
204. Guns should never remain loaded longer than necessary, as the cartridge speedily deteriorates by the effects of moisture. If a shell has been loaded twenty-four hours it should be drawn and refuzed.
I. "SILENCE! MAN THE STARBOARD (OR PORT) GUNS!"
205. At this preparatory order the strictest silence is to be observed. The Captain faces the port, the men, on the right and left, stand facing the gun; all fix their eyes on the Captain and attentively wait for orders.
II. "CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
206. The GUN CAPTAIN commands, sees his gun cleared and cast loose, portlid unbarred ready for tricing up, or half ports taken out; side and train tackles hooked, the side-tackle to the side training-bolt, and the train-tackle to the eye-bolt in the deck in the rear of the gun; casts loose and middles breeching and places selvagee straps and toggles amidships; takes off lock-cover, and hands it to the train-tackleman, who places it amidships; buckles on his waist-belt (furnished as directed in Article 150); provides himself with a priming-wire; puts on and secures his thumbstall; and sees that the gear and implements for the service of the gun are all in place and ready for use, and that the men are properly equipped.
When the gun is ready for action he sees that the men take their proper positions, and reports to the Officer of the subdivision to which he belongs.
It is important that the battery shall be completely provided at every exercise, otherwise something is sure to be omitted in preparing for action.
207. 2D CAPTAIN assists in casting loose and middling breeching; takes off and places amidships sight-covers, selvagee straps, and toggles; handles quoin; provides thumbstalls, priming-wires, and boring-bit, and equips himself with the first two; clears lock-string and lays it in a loose coil round the lock, convenient for use, and buckles on his waist-belt furnished as 1st Captain's. If the gun is furnished with an elevating screw, elevates the gun, that the lower half port may be let down.
208. 1ST LOADER, aided by 1st Sponger, casts loose port-lanyards, removes upper half port, and passes it to the men on the left side of the gun, who lay it amidships; lets down the lower half port. On lower deck casts off port-lanyards and muzzle-lashing; removes port-bar and passes it to the men at the left side of the gun, who lay it amidships; bears out port. On all decks places hand-swab and chocking-quoin near the ship's side on the left side of the gun; aids 1st Sponger in taking out tompion.
209. 2D LOADER assists in casting loose; sees the wads in place, and for rifle cannon a pot of grease at hand; hooks outer block of side-tackle to side training-bolt, on the left side of the gun.
210. 1ST SPONGER casts loose port-lanyards and aids 1st Loader in removing upper half ports and letting down lower ones, and on lower decks in removing the port-bar, bearing out the port and taking off the muzzle-lashings; takes out tompion, and passes it to 2d Sponger, who hangs it amidships; places chocking-quoin on the right side of the gun, near the ship's side.
211. 2D SPONGER assists in casting loose; hooks outer block of side-tackle to the side training-bolt, on the right side of the gun.
The Spongers take down the sponges and rammers; take off the sponge-cap and hang it up out of the way; place sponges and rammers together, on the right side of the gun, heads toward the breech, in the brackets overhead on covered decks, otherwise on deck.
The SIDE-TACKLEMEN assist in casting loose; on lower decks, aid Port-tacklemen; moisten the sponge, being certain that the end of the sponge which touches the bottom of the bore is thoroughly wet.
212. SHELLMEN assist in casting loose, provide shot and wads, and proceed to hatchway, ready to pass loaded shell, if ordered.
213. TRAIN-TACKLEMEN lead out and hook train-tackle.
214. HANDSPIKEMEN take out the handspikes on their respective sides, and with carriages using a quoin, each standing between his handspike and the side of the ship, place the heels of their handspikes on the steps of the carriage and under the breech of the gun, and raise it so that the quoin may be eased and the lower half port let down, or, when housed, the bed and quoin adjusted. Then each Handspikeman will lay his handspike on deck, on his own side of the gun, parallel with its axis, clear of the trucks and butt to the rear.
215. POWDER-BOY repairs to his proper scuttle for his passing-box, which having received he returns and stands a little to the left and in rear of the gun, keeping the passing-box under his left arm and the cover closely pressed down with his right hand.
216. When there are fourteen or more men at a gun, the PORT-TACKLEMEN and SIDE-TACKLEMEN, on lower decks, lead out port-tackle falls and assist in tricing up the port, and, when high enough, belay the fall.
217. In the temporary absence of the first Captains, Loaders, or Spongers, when at quarters on one side, their Seconds will take their places and perform their respective duties.
When exercising by divisions, or single gun's crews, every station should be filled; if necessary, taking men from the Master's or Powder division to fill vacancies. The guns will be sufficiently exercised in working with reduced crews at general quarters.
218. With a gun's crew of ten or more men, No. 7 will take the place of No. 5, and No. 8 of No. 6, when Nos. 5 or 6 are absent temporarily.
III. "RUN IN!" (preparatory).
(Diagram No. 1.)
219. Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 (and, if necessary, 5, 6), man the Train-tackle.
2d Captain ships and works Roller Handspike. Nos. 3, 4, overhaul or tend the Side-tackles.
The gun having been run in, No. 12 chokes luff of Train-tackle, assisted, if there is much motion, by No. 11.
Nos. 3, 4 place Truck-quoins in front of Trucks.
No. 6, with back square to gun, and facing over left shoulder to Sponger, takes up the Sponge, head in-board, and stands ready to hand it to 4.
No. 8, facing to the gun, and outside of 6, does the same with the Rammer.
The rest of the men go to their stations.
IV. "SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"[7]
(Diagram No. 2.)
220. Gun Captain serves and then stops the Vent. No. 4 receives the moist Sponge from 3, right hand over, left under, sends it home, and, assisted by 3, presses it to bottom of bore; then, turning it round two or three times, from left to right, in the direction which is needed to have the worm take, withdraws it, and, when out, strikes the staff several smart taps under the muzzle, then hands it back to 6, who lays it on the deck or lodges it overhead on the hooks, if they are provided. No. 10 examines and clears sponge-head and worm.
After the Sponge is withdrawn, Gun Captain serves the vent with his priming-wire and again closes it.
No. 8 hands Rammer to 4 as soon as the Sponge is taken from him by 6. Should 4 observe that the Gun Captain neglected to serve the vent, he is to call his attention to it.
No. 3 stands ready with Charge he has taken from Powderman.
No. 5, assisted by Shellman, opens Shell-box, disengages the Shell, and has it in readiness to pass to No. 3.
V. "LOAD!"
(Diagram No. 2.)
221. No. 3 places Charge in muzzle, seam from the Vent, small end in, and pushes it well into the Bore.
No. 4 stands ready with the Rammer, enters it into the muzzle, and pushes the Charge steadily to the bottom of the Bore, which will be shown by the mark on the rammer handle; 3 assists with one hand, and the charge is on no account to be struck.
While 4 withdraws the Rammer, 3 is to receive the Shell from 5, lift and enter it, sabot first, into muzzle, fuze out, as soon as the rammer is clear thereof.
As the shell lies just fair with muzzle, 3 removes cap from Fuze, which is to be passed along to the Gun Captain, and pushes the Shell into the Bore.
No. 4 enters Rammer, and, assisted by 3, pushes in the Shell until the mark on handle shows it to be in place. It is most strictly forbidden to strike the Shell with the Rammer.
No. 6 takes Rammer from 4 and lays it down.
Whilst this has been doing, the preparation for the next order has been proceeding, thus:
2d Captain ships Roller Handspike. Nos. 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,—8, 10, 12, 14, 16 take hold of Side-tackles; Gun Captain feels if Vent is clear, and Charge home.
Action.
(This is equivalent to the order "Together.")
Nos. 5, 6 assist at Side-tackles.
Nos. 3, 4 attend Truck-quoins and keep the Breeching clear of Front-trucks.
No. 12, assisted in heavy rolling of lee guns by 11, prepares to tend Train-tackle. If necessary with a round turn round all parts of the fall.
VI. "RUN OUT!"
(Diagram No. 3.)
222. The execution of this order is to be controlled by the gun being to windward or to leeward, and also by the nature of the Roll.
To leeward, and with much motion, the cannon will rush out violently unless prevented; therefore 11 assists 12 at the Train-tackle; 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 start the gun cautiously.
2d Captain heaves up on Roller Handspike, but is careful to let down the Carriage if it begins to start out rapidly; it may even be advisable not to use the Roller Handspike at all.
Nos. 3, 4 remove Truck-quoins and tend breeching.
Action.
If to windward, 2d Captain heaves up Carriage fully on Roller Handspike.
Nos. 5 and 6 assist at Side-tackles.
No. 12 only tends Train-tackle if the Roll should need it; otherwise he overhauls it and assists at Side-tackles.
Nos. 3, 4 remove Truck-quoins, and keep Breeching from fouling the Front-trucks; 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 set taut the Side-tackles.
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.]
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.]
When the gun is out the 2d Captain swivels the Roller Handspike for training, or removes it altogether if the Handspike alone be preferred for this operation.
Nos. 5, 6 choke and retain hold of luffs of Side-tackles, while 3, 4 place Truck-quoins in rear of trucks, if the movement of the ship requires it. Crew close up; rear man coils end of fall, clear for running.
If the training is to be sharp, the proper Side-tackle will be hooked to the further eye-bolt inside; 12 unhooks the Train-tackle, and hooks it also to the proper eye-bolt in deck.
VII. "PRIME!"
(Diagram No. 4.)
223. Gun Captain again makes sure that the Vent is clear, and, in so doing, lets down his wire quickly into the charge.
He inserts a Primer, and turns down the Hammer upon it.
Meanwhile 9, 10 take up handspikes, and place themselves at rear of bracket conveniently to heave forward or aft.
In sharp training Nos. 13, 14 assist them.
Nos. 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, and 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 man Side-tackles.
VIII. "POINT!"
(Diagram No. 4.)
224. Gun Captain adjusts or verifies Sliding-Bar of Rear Sight to proper distance given by the Officer of Division, and falls back so as to be clear of the recoil, lanyard in hand, face to the Port, standing directly in the rear of the gun, with his eye ranging over the sights, and keeping in view the water-line of the opposing ship, trains the gun by voice or sign.
No. 6 throws back the Hammer, and takes hold of lever of Elevating Screw. (If Roller Handspike is not used in training, 2d Captain performs this.)
At word "Right" or "Left," 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, or 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 haul on the proper Side-tackle, and 9, 10 heave correspondingly on handspikes. Nos. 3 and 4 keep their eyes on handspikemen opposite to them, to give the time to the other Nos. for hauling on the fall.
No. 6 (or 2d Captain) Elevates or Depresses as directed.
Action.
2d Captain unships the Roller Handspike if it has been used in training. Nos. 9, 10 withdraw handspikes, and step back clear of recoil.
Nos. 3, 4 overhaul Side-tackles to mark, unless the motion does not admit of it.
No. 12 overhauls or holds up Train-tackle.
Nos. 7, 8 remove quoins from Trucks.
Men to their stations.
IX. "READY—FIRE!"
(Diagram No. 5.)
225. The Gun Captain, standing as already placed, waits patiently, but sharply, for the coincidence of the sights upon the object, which, if a ship, is always the water-line. When a correction of elevation or of direction is required, he repeats such of the previous orders as may be necessary; and these are to be re-executed accordingly.
If the gun is to leeward, the men stand ready to take hold of the Train-tackle and jerk the cannon into a taut breeching.
When sure of his aim the Gun Captain, who has held the lock-lanyard just taut, draws it promptly and firmly, bearing in mind that in no case is he to attempt moving from his post.
The 2d Captain stands ready with a primer, and, in the case of failure, throws back the hammer and inserts another. If necessary, serves the Vent. If a second failure occurs, it is a certain indication that the charge is not home.
Action.
Instantly with the explosion, 11, 12 jerk away the parts of the train-tackle, or hook it if it has been unhooked.
Nos. 3, 4 place quoins in front of trucks. 9, 10 lay down handspikes.
When the gun is not in to a taut breeching, the 2d Captain ships the Roller Handspike.
Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, take hold quickly of Train-tackle, and run in to a taut breeching.
When in, 3, 4 move up the Truck-quoins, 12 chokes luff of Train-tackle.
Gun Captain puts back the hammer and coils up lanyard.
No. 6 takes up Sponge, and the exercise proceeds as already directed.
If necessary, No. 2 levels the gun for loading, and lays it fair for running out.
226. If the exercise is to be continued, it is resumed at the fourth command:
"SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
"CEASE FIRING!"
227. Whenever this order is given, either by the roll of the drum, or by passing the word, if the gun is primed, the Gun Captain immediately removes the primer, and with the crew stands at "Attention."
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.]
228. NOTE.—The breechings of IX-in. guns are to be so fitted that the face of muzzle when in shall be 18 inches from inner face of side, for two reasons:
To prevent the gun from returning to the port, and to give room for the handling of such large shells.
Seventeen men are a proper number for working a IX-in. gun under any circumstances.
Rammer handles are to be marked for place of charge and of shell.
Side and train tackles are also to be marked to the proper overhaul, so as to avoid slack rope.
Breast-sweeps are useful at lower sill of port, for training more than a point.
X. "SECURE!"
229. The Powder-boy returns the spare powder and the passing-boxes to the magazine. The Shellmen return the shells and empty shell-boxes, if any remain on deck, to the shell-room.
The Gun Captain directs the gun to be laid square in the middle of the port.
When the guns are to be secured without being housed the Loader and Sponger place the chocking-quoins square up against the rear part of the front trucks and put in the tompion. The Handspikemen, if there is a quoin, free the quoin and lower the breech, the 2d Captain handling the quoin. When the gun is fitted with an elevating screw this operation is performed by the 2d Captain alone, who handles the screw.
The Gun Captain, assisted by the 2d Captain, hauls the breeching through the jaws of the cascabel to the left side of the gun, forming with the bight a turn over the breech and cylinder, taking care to keep the breeching well clear of the elevating screw to prevent chafe, and securing the parts on each side with selvagees and heavers; or, if this should interfere with the breech-sight, by crossing the breeching at the side and securing it with selvagee straps and toggles. In this case the breeching should be secured after alternate exercises right and left.
The Loader and Sponger haul up and secure the lower half-ports, put in tompion, and secure muzzle-bag. The Gun Captain puts in the vent-plug, lays the hammer of the lock in its place, and the lock-string in a coil around it. The 2d Captain takes the lock-cover from the Train-tackleman and secures it over the lock, and in like manner covers the breech and reinforce sights.
The men at the side-tackles unhook the outer blocks from the training-bolts and hand them to the Loader and Sponger, who hook them to the securing-bolts at the sides of the port. The men on both sides haul them taut and stop the parts of the tackles together, with knittles provided by the Quarter Gunner, and then expend the remainder of the falls by passing them around the breech of the gun, through the jaws of the cascabel, and stopping the bights alternately to the eye-bolts on each side of the port until expended; or, at four-truck carriages, take two half hitches over the tail of the brackets, and expend the ends of the falls.
The Train-tackle men hook the train-tackle to the side-tackle bolts on each side of the port, the double block on the left side, haul the tackle taut, expend the end round the breech, and stop the parts in with the side-tackles.[8]
The Gun Captain then directs the Handspikemen, or if the screw is used, the 2d Captain, to raise the breech so as to level the gun and bring all parts of the tackles and breeching taut.
The Loader and Sponger put in and secure the upper half-ports, if directed, and the Loader swabs the deck to collect any loose powder which may have been scattered on it.
The several persons who provided the arms and implements used in the exercise, return them to their proper places, or to the persons appointed to take charge of them, care being taken that the small arms are unloaded and reported so before they are sent below, unless otherwise directed by the Captain.
HOUSING LOWER-DECK GUNS.
230. If the lower-deck guns are to be housed, the Gun Captain directs the gun to be laid square in the middle of the port and run in to a taut breeching, and if loaded, the load to be drawn. The Loader and Sponger place the housing-chocks before the front trucks.
The gun is then run close up against the housing-chocks, and the chocking-quoins are placed square up behind the rear trucks.
The Handspikemen raise the breech to free the quoin; the 2d Captain withdraws it and the bed; the Handspikemen lower the breech upon the axletree, so that in case the gun should break adrift, the muzzle will take the upper port-sill; and the Port-tacklemen lower the port-lid.
The 2d Loader and 1st Shellman bring the port-bar to the Loader and Sponger, who put it in place across the port, hook the port-hooks in the ring-bolts in the port-lids, and drive in the keys until the port is perfectly closed.
The men on both sides shift the side-tackles from the training-bolts to the securing-bolts, haul them taut, and expend the ends between the blocks. The Loader and Sponger pass the frapping lashing round both parts of the breeching, in front of the brackets, and with the assistance of the men nearest them bowse it well taut; and secure the muzzle by placing the grommet over it and the housing hook-bolt, and by frapping the two parts together with the lashing. When the housing-bolt is an eye-bolt, a toggle will be necessary to keep the grommet in its place.
In moderate weather the train-tackle is unhooked from the deck, and made up and stopped along the side-tackle, on the forward side of the gun. In bad weather it is kept hooked, bowsed taut, and the end expended through the ring-bolt and round the arms of the rear axle.
The manner of housing guns, mounted on truck-carriages, on other decks, in bad weather, does not vary materially from that just described, excepting that the upper half-ports and the port-bucklers are put in and secured.
When there are no housing-chocks the ordinary chocking-quoins may be used as such. It will be an additional security to take off the rear trucks, and to tighten the muzzle-lashing by raising the breech.
GENERAL REMARKS ON THE MANUAL EXERCISE.
231. The exercise of the great guns has a double object: 1st, To teach the crew all the details necessary to Load, Point, and Fire the gun; 2d, To develop their activity, intelligence, and muscular force.
The principal object, the base of all this instruction, is loading and pointing; too much care and attention cannot be devoted to obtain exactitude in all the movements. There is a tendency to devote too much time to such exercises as shifting carriages from side to side. There is always sufficient time for these manoeuvres. The most important are the management of the rammer and sponge in loading and the handspikes in pointing.
232. At the time of reception on board, the crew may be considered as made up of three classes: 1st, The Captains, Loaders, and Spongers of guns, who may be considered as competently instructed in the manual; 2d, another part, who have had some instruction and are competent to fill the secondary duties; 3d, The remainder, who are entirely ignorant.
The directions in the manual are more particularly devoted to the instruction of a crew completely formed, omitting all the minor details of position and exactness in the performance of the motions under the different commands, which are to be supplied by the Instructor. These details would break the connection of the several commands, and increase the bulk of the work. The precepts of the manual are not for self-instruction of the ignorant, but to produce a uniform system of commands in the Instructors. The important point, is to instruct the last two classes by gun's crews, and then by divisions. This is accomplished by drilling the guns' crews separately, until each man has acquired some facility in his particular duties, and then selecting the most deficient for special instruction, combining them as a gun's crew, in order not to uselessly fatigue those who are already expert or readily acquire the drill. Whenever a new order is to be executed, it should be first thoroughly and minutely explained; and as soon as all have heard and appear to understand, execute it. If not correctly performed, repeat the explanation.
233. When the individuals of each gun's crew have become well acquainted with, and expert in the performance of their several special duties, they are to be successively transferred, temporarily, to the performance of the duties of some other station, until each man shall have become acquainted with the special duties of every station at the gun.
In exercising each man of a gun's crew in the duties of all the other men of that crew besides his own, it is to be done thus:
The system supposes that, beginning with the 2d Captain to take the place of the 1st Captain, the men are to be called to perform the duties of the latter in a regular succession agreeably to the way they are placed at the gun; i.e., after the 2d Captain, the 2d Train-tackleman is to do the duties of Gun Captain; and so on all round the gun. Each man is to fleet his position one remove or place, in a direction "with the sun," so that instead of the interchange of duties being confined to two individuals only, it is to extend to the whole gun's crew. Thus, for instance, when the 2d Captain is called upon to do the duties of 1st Captain, the latter, by moving one place "with the sun," becomes the 1st Train-tackleman, the 1st Train-tackleman the 1st Port-tackleman, and so on all around the gun throughout the whole crew, the person at the muzzle of the gun on its left side crossing over and taking the place of the one at the muzzle on the right side. Next in order, the 2d Train-tackle. is required to take the place of the 1st Captain, then the 2d Captain becomes 1st Train-tackle., the 1st Captain the 1st Port-tackleman, the 2d Port-tackleman the 2d Captain, and so on throughout.
If it should be desired to take, at first, a man from the middle of the crew of the gun, or even still further towards the muzzle, to do the duties of 1st Captain, then it must be done under the supposition that all the men preceding him in the order above mentioned have already been exercised in those duties, and the men are then to take their stands accordingly.
After the guns' crews have been well trained by giving the words of command, it will be expedient to exercise them without giving the several detailed commands, by directing them to "load and fire!" At this command the different individuals should, each in proper order of time, silently perform his prescribed duties of sponging, loading, running out, training, and pointing, the Captain of the gun regulating the elevation and depression, by raising or lowering his hand, and by holding it horizontally and steady when the gun is "well;" and in pointing, by moving his hand to "right" or "left" as the gun requires to be trained, and by bringing it down to his side when it is "well." Before firing, he is to throw his hand well up as a signal for the men to "drop tackles," and is to give the word "fire" when he pulls the lock-string.
When casualties occur at the guns, the Captain of the gun will order "close up," and then equalize the crew on each side. If the Powderman is disabled the highest number takes his place.
234. Whenever the crew of a gun becomes so greatly reduced in action that men enough are not left to work the piece, it may be fired while partially run in. In such case, however, the breeching should be frapped forward of the carriage, the ends crossed under the muzzle or otherwise arranged so as to keep the muzzle outside of the port; the side-tackles left loose; the chocking-quoins placed square up against the outer part of the front trucks; the train-tackle hauled taut, the end of the fall passed through the train-bolt and well secured, and wet swabs placed up against the forward part of the rear trucks and sprinkled with sand or ashes. After three or four rounds the train-tackle should be re-secured; the chocking-quoins will require re-placing after each fire. The greatest possible care should be taken to guard against accident from fire, and minimum charges of powder used.
Experiment proves that a gun may be fired in this manner without injury to the ship's side or the breeching, and by three or four men.
It must be apparent to every officer that both the rapidity and the accuracy of fire to be obtained from guns in vessels at sea, must depend, in a great degree, upon the care which may be taken to explain to the men the best mode of performing their respective parts of the exercise, and the particular object for which each part is intended, and especially on such frequency of exercise and target-firing as will make the men perfectly familiar with their prescribed duties. The importance of this instruction, which may decide whether an action shall result in victory or defeat, will, it is hoped, insure due attention to it from all officers, and especially from the officers of divisions at quarters.
THE GUNS ON ONE SIDE BEING MANNED, TO CHANGE SIDES, OR BOTH SIDES BEING MANNED, TO MAN ONE SIDE ONLY; COMMAND. "MAN THE STARBOARD (OR PORT) GUNS!"
235. Whenever this or any other order is given which requires all the men suddenly to leave the gun which they are working, they are not to do so until it is properly loaded, and well secured by hauling taut the side and train tackles, and hitching their falls around the straps of the inner blocks; nor on lower decks of ships-of-the-line till the ports are down and secured by their lanyards. A strict compliance with this injunction is indispensable to guard against excessive or imperfect loading and other accidents.
When these precautions have been duly taken, the men will shift over in obedience to the command.
EXERCISE OF BROADSIDE-GUNS, ON BOTH SIDES AT ONCE, BY MANNING ALTERNATE GUNS WITH FULL CREWS.
236. In the event of being required to fight both sides, it is generally conceded that a more effective fire is maintained by handling alternate guns with full crews.
In this case the preparatory order will be given:
"SILENCE! MAN BOTH SIDES, EVERY OTHER GUN WITH FULL CREWS."
Upon which the guns' crews of the guns of the starboard watch will man the odd-numbered guns on the starboard side, and the guns' crews of the port watch will man the even-numbered guns on the port side, and the exercise will be the same as prescribed for "broadside guns on one side only."
MANNING ALL THE GUNS.
GENERAL REMARKS.
237. Arrangements have been made to enable each gun's crew to work together and fire alternately a pair of guns on the same side of the deck. Experience, however, shows that this can only be continued with effect for three or four rounds, and is in general results inferior to those obtained by manning alternate guns with full crews.
QUICK FIRING.
238. The service of the guns consists, essentially, of two distinct parts, pointing and loading. The first of these, pointing, cannot be performed too carefully and methodically, and requires extreme coolness and attention on the part of the Captain of the gun; loading, on the contrary, cannot be executed with too much rapidity, provided neither the safety of the gun nor of its crew be compromised.
It is clear that if two hostile vessels meet equally matched in all the ordinary points of equipment and preparation, and manned by crews equally skilled in gunnery, the advantage will be in favor of the ship that loads quickest; and should it happen that nicety of aim becomes a matter of secondary importance, in consequence of the closeness of the action, then, evidently, rapidity of fire will determine the affair.
These considerations appear decisive, and every care should be taken in the instruction of guns' crews, that pointing be executed with deliberation, care, and method, and loading with all possible dispatch. In order, therefore, to insure the great advantage of rapid firing, officers are enjoined frequently to exercise the crews in setting the cartridge, shot, and wad home together, in one motion, of such guns as may be loaded in this manner, without inconvenience. This is the case with all the guns, chambered as well as unchambered, excepting the 8-inch shell-gun of 63 cwt. of patterns earlier than 1851; it is not recommended, however, to practise simultaneous loading with guns of higher calibre, such as IX-inch and upwards, as nothing will be gained by it in point of time.
To prevent the shot from rolling on the tie of the cartridge and jamming it, the end of the cartridge-bag, outside of the tie, should be shortened as much as security will permit, unless it has been specially prepared for this use, by stitching back the end in the form of a cockade.
With the view of affording the Loader a certain and independent means of knowing when the whole load is really home, the handle of the rammer should have a mark upon it, easily distinguishable either by day or night, and this should be suited to the "ordinary firing" charge of powder, due allowance being made for the others.
COMMAND.
"LOAD IN ONE MOTION!"
239. The Loader receives the cartridge and puts it in the gun, as already described; he also receives the shell or shot and wad and introduces them accordingly.
As soon as the whole charge has been introduced, the Sponger and Loader together thrust it down smartly with the rammer, as in ordinary loading. When home, the men run the gun out as quickly as possible; the Captain of the gun clears the vent, primes in running out, points and fires in the usual manner, but as rapidly as is consistent with a good aim, taking care that the muzzle is clear of the port-sill, and on lower decks that the port is triced up clear of the explosion.
SHIFTING BREECHINGS IN ACTION.
COMMAND.
"SPONGE, LOAD, AND SHIFT BREECHING!"
240. Supposing the gun's crew to be reduced to six men and the Powder-boy, that being the least number required to perform the evolution, and the gun to be discharged and run in. The Captain hauls taut the train-tackle and chokes the luff, and the Loader and Sponger place the chocking-quoins forward of the front trucks, and proceed to sponge and load the gun in the usual manner. The 2d Sponger and 2d Loader haul taut side-tackles and choke luffs, or, if rolling deep, hitch the falls round the straps of the blocks, and then unshackle the old breeching and shackle the new, which is to be brought to the gun by the 2d Captain.
The Captain removes the old breeching from, and places and secures the bight of the new one in the jaws of the cascabel, after the gun is sponged. The 2d Captain passes the old breeching amidships, and the men resume their usual duties at the gun.
When there are more than six men at the gun, the 2d Sponger and 2d Loader, after securing the side-tackle falls, will assist to load the gun, and the additional men will assist in unshackling the old and shackling the new breeching, but one of these will do all the duties just assigned to the 1st Captain, so as not to interfere with his ordinary duties in loading.
SHIFTING TRUCKS.
241. The operation of shifting a truck can only be required when the gun is "run in" after firing. At the order to shift any one of the trucks that may be designated:
With the MARSILLY CARRIAGE.—Heave up with the roller handspike under the end of the bracket on the side on which the truck is to be removed; handspikemen pass inside the breeching and place their handspikes under the axletree as near the truck as possible, and, assisted by 5 and 6, lift the gun while the shellman removes the old truck and side-tackleman puts on new one.
With the ORDINARY CARRIAGE.—To shift a rear truck, handspikemen lift under the rear axletree. To shift a front truck the rear truck on the opposite side should first be taken off, then handspikemen lift under the fore axletree.
EXERCISE OF PIVOT-GUNS.
XI-INCH SHELL-GUN
(As an example.)
242. Arranged to traverse on circles fitted with Bossed Sockets for pivoting, and with clevis-bolts and sockets for housing.
EQUIPMENTS AND IMPLEMENTS.
ARTICLES FOR EACH GUN. WHERE THEY ARE TO BE PUT WHEN THE GUN IS SECURED. - Carriage and slide complete, with In place. elevating screw and pivot-bolts Two front roller levers } Two rear do. } Becketed to brackets. Two levers for training and } shifting trucks } Two in-tackles Hooked in place. Two out-tackles Do. do. Two shifting-tackles Made up on slide. Two training-tackles Do. do. Breeching In place. Preventer Do. Lashings for securing gun Do. Tompion, with wad and lanyard Do. Sponge and cap } Becketed to beams between decks, Rammer } or inside the brackets. A pot of oil or prepared grease Breast of carriage. for rifle cannon Lock, with string } In place. Vent-plug } Lock-cover and strap In place on gun. Breech-sight and cover Do. do. Reinforce-sight and cover Do. do. Trunnion-sight In box between decks. Priming-wires Inside brackets Boring-bits Inside brackets Water-buckets and large swab Hold, until wanted. Hand-swabs Breast of carriage. Selvagee-wads Do. do. Battle-axes, as allowed (Art. 101) On breast-transom. Two transporting axles and trucks In storeroom, at hand. One shell in box On slide. Shell-bearer Do. Rail transom-chocks[9] Under rails. -
STATIONS AND GUN-NUMBERS.
243. The following are to be the gun-numbers and stations for a gun's crew of twenty-five, including the Powderman, the XI-inch shell-gun being taken as an example:
+ + -+ -+ LEFT SIDE. GUN-NOS. RIGHT SIDE. + + -+ -+ First Loader 3 4 First Sponger. Second Loader 5 6 Second Sponger. First Shellman 7 8 Second Shellman. First Front-Leverman 9 10 Second Front-Leverman. First Compressman 13 14 Second Compressman. First Rear-Leverman 11 12 Second Rear-Leverman. {17 18} Tacklemen {19 20} Tacklemen. {21 22} {23 24} First Train-Leverman 15 16 Second Train-Leverman. First Captain 1 2 Second Captain. Powderman 25 + + + + -+
To reduce from 24 men and Powderman to 20, omit four highest numbers.
To reduce from 20 men and Powderman to 16 men and Powderman, omit four next highest numbers.
To reduce from 16 men and Powderman to 12 men and Powder-boy, omit four highest numbers; 7, 9, and 10 become Pikemen, 11 and 12 Compressmen and Train-Levermen, in addition to other duties.
To reduce from 12 men and boy to 10 men and boy, omit two highest numbers; 5 becomes Pikeman, 7 becomes Fireman, 9 and 10 Compressor and Train-Levermen, in addition to other duties.
EXERCISE FOR HEAVY GUNS
MOUNTED ON PIVOT-CARRIAGES.
XI-INCH SHELL-GUN. (As an example.)
244. The gun is supposed to be secured amidships, fore and aft, over the housing pivot, and not loaded.
The exercise will proceed in conformity to the following words of command, viz.:
I. "SILENCE! CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
II. "RUN IN!"
III. "SHIFT PIVOT!" (TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT!)
IV. "SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
V. "LOAD!"
VI. "RUN OUT!"
VII. "PRIME!"
VIII. "POINT!"
IX. "READY—FIRE!"
X. "SHIFT TO HOUSING-PIVOT, AND SECURE!"
N.B.—It is always to be understood that when any of their respective duties under one command are executed, the men will at once proceed to prepare for those which follow next in order. The exercise must be considered as a whole, though the details are necessarily divided under the several words of command.
EXERCISE OF PIVOT XI-IN. CANNON.
GUN SECURED FOR SEA AMIDSHIPS.
I. "SILENCE! CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
245. No. 1, Commands; sees his gun cleared and cast loose; circles cleared and swept; tackles hooked; levers shipped; lock and sights in place; elevating apparatus, pivot-bolts, and compressors in working order; takes off lock-cover and hands it to 23, who lays it clear of circle: provides himself with waist-belt and primers, priming-wire, boring-bit, and thumbstall; and sees that all the gear and implements are ready for use, and the men at their respective stations.
No. 2, Takes off sight-covers and hands them to 22, who lays them clear of circle; removes rail-chocks and assists in casting loose. He provides waist-belt and primers, and sees that the men on his side of the gun execute promptly their several duties.
CAST LOOSE.
(Diagram No. 1.)
Clear away the Bulwarks 15.16.17.18.23.24. Lashings of Gun—Adrift 3.4.11.12. In-Tackles—Cast loose 15.16. Out-Tackles—Cast loose 13.14. Training-Tackles—Cast loose 19.20.21.22.23.24. IMPLEMENTS QR. GUNNER. Powder 25. Shells, Shell-Ladle, &c. 7.8. Sponge } Rammer } Take down 5.6. Front Carriage-Levers, Ship[10] 9.10. Rear Carriage-Levers—Ship 11.12. Slide-Levers—Ship forward 15.16. Sight-Covers—Take off. 2d Capt. and hands to 22. Buckets of Water[11]—Fill; } Wet Swabs—Bring. } 5.6. Outer Tackles hook as } to Deck 21.22. Shifting-Tackles } to Slide 23.24. Inner Tackle[12] hook { to Deck 17.18. { to Slide 19.20. Attend Compressors 13.14. Man In-Tackle { 11.15.17.19.21.23. { 12.16.18.20.22.24. Man Carriage-Levers { Front. 9.10. { Rear. 11.12.
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246. STAND BY TO RUN IN.
(Diagram No. 2.)
Ease Compressors[13] and go to In-Tackles 13.14. Up Carriage-Levers[14] { Front. 3.9. and 4.10. { Rear. 11.12. Tend Out-Tackles 5.6.
II. "RUN IN!"[15]
Haul on In-Tackles { 11.13.15.17.19.21.23. { 12.14.16.18.20.22.24. Out-Tackle block—Unhook from Slide, to leave room for hooking Inner Shifting-Tackle 5.6 Down Carriage-Levers { Front. 3.9. and 4.10. { Rear. 11.12. Tauten Compressors 13.14.
247. STAND BY TO PIVOT.
(Diagram No. 3.)
Draw Fore Pivot-Bolt 3.4. Up Shifting Slide-Levers 15.16. { 3.11.5.9.13.15.17.19.21.23. { Man Outer Shifting-Tackle { or or or or { { 4.12.6.10.14.16.18.20.22.24. Attend opposite Outer Shifting-Tackle 19.3. or 20.4. Stand by to hook Inner Tackle, when the Outer Shifting-Tackle is a-block 17 or 18.
III. "PIVOT TO RIGHT OR LEFT!"
(Diagram No. 3.)
{ 3.11.5.9.13.15.17.19.21.23.[A] { Haul on Outer Shifting-Tackle[16] { or or or or { { 4.12.6.10.14.16.18.20.22.24. Ease away opposite Shifting-Tackle 19.3 or 20.4. Hook to Slide, Inner Tackle and Haul Taut 17. or 18. Unhook Outer Shifting-Tackles 21.22.23.24. In Fore Pivot-Bolt 3. or 4. Shift Inner Tackles as { To rear of Slide 19.20. Train-Tackles { To Deck 17.18. Down Shifting Slide-Levers, unship them and ship them on Rear Slide Training-Trucks[17] 15.16. Hook Out-Tackle Block to Slide 5.6. Take stations for next order which, if the gun is loaded, will be "Run Out;" if not loaded, will be "Sponge."[18] When the Gun is Run Out Shackle Breeching[19] 3.13. 4.14. Draw the Rear Pivot-Bolt 2.
Note A: Other numbers may be called to assist, if needed.
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IV. "SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
(Diagram No. 4.)
248. No. 4 is to receive the moist sponge from No. 6, right hand over, left under, to send it home, and, assisted by No. 3, to press it to the bottom of the Bore, then to turn it around two or three times from left to right, in the direction that the worm may take,[20] withdraw it, strike the staff several smart taps under the muzzle, then return it to No. 6, who will receive it and lay it down;[21] the Gun Captain serves, then stops the Vent,[22] and as soon as the sponge has been withdrawn, serves the Vent with his priming-wire and again stops it.
This being done—
No. 20 hands the Rammer to No. 4 as soon as the latter has been relieved of the Sponge by No. 6. Should No. 4 observe that the Gun Captain has neglected to serve the Vent, he is to call his attention to it.
No. 3 stands ready with the Powder which he has taken from No. 5, to whom it was passed by No. 25.
Nos. 7, 8, open the Shell-Box, disengage[23] the Shell, and place it in the Ladle, in readiness to pass to Nos. 3 and 5. (Special drill.)
V. "LOAD!"
(Diagram No. 4.)
249. No. 3 places the charge in the muzzle, seam from the Vent,[24] small end in, and pushes it well into the Bore.
No. 4, who stands ready with the Rammer, enters it into the muzzle, and pushes the charge home steadily, until the mark on the Rammer handle shows the charge to be in place.[25] No. 3 assists with one hand, and the charge is on no account to be struck.[26]
Whilst No. 4 withdraws the Rammer, Nos. 7, 8 each take a handle of the Ladle, lift up the Shell,[27] and, assisted by No. 5, pass it on to Nos. 3 and 4, who enter the shell into the muzzle, sabot first and Fuze out, as soon as the Rammer is clear of the muzzle.
As the Shell lies just fair with the muzzle, No. 3 removes the cap from Fuze,[28] which is passed along to the Gun Captain, and pushes the Shell into the Bore.
No. 4 enters the Rammer, and, assisted by No. 3, pushes in the shell until the mark on the handle shows it to be in place. It is most strictly forbidden to strike the shell with the Rammer.[29]
No. 6 takes the Rammer from No. 4 and lays it down, or lodges it overhead on the hooks. Whilst this has been doing, the preparation for the next order is to go on.[30] Nos. 13, 14 ease compressors, if no motion. If there is, they stand ready to ease at next order. The Out-Tackles are manned by Nos. 19, 21, 23, 17, 15, 11, 13, and 20, 22, 24, 18, 16, 12, 14. The Inner Tackles tended by No. 2 and Qr. Gunner. The Front Carriage-Levers grasped by 3, 9, and 4, 10. The Rear by 11, 12
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VI. "RUN OUT!"
(Diagram No. 5.)
250. The mode of executing this order will vary with circumstances—by the gun being to windward or to leeward, and by the nature of the rolling motion.
To leeward, and with much motion, the tendency is to go out with dangerous violence.[31]
Therefore, Nos. 5, 19, 21, 23, 17, 15, 13, and 6, 20, 22, 24, 18, 16, 14, haul cautiously on the Out-Tackles, the Qr. Gunner and No. 2, assisted by 15, 16, holding well back on the In-Tackles with a turn caught; 13, 14 ease the compressors; Nos. 3, 9, and 4, 10 heave up the Front Carriage-Levers; Nos. 11, 12 keep down the Rear Carriage-Levers, unless it is seen that they are necessary.
In running out to windward[32] the compressors may be eased at once, the In-Tackles slacked, the Carriage hove up on its trucks, and the gun run out by the Out-Tacklemen, assisted by any of the numbers not employed in other duties. When out, the Carriage-Levers are let down promptly and unshipped. The compressors are set[33] and Rear Slide-Lever shipped.
VII. "PRIME!"
(Diagram No. 6.)
251. The Gun Captain again makes sure that the Vent is clear,[34] and in so doing lets his wire down quickly into the charge.[35] If all is right, he inserts a primer.
If the Slide-Levers have not been shipped, or have been unshipped, they must now be put on the axles of the Rear Slide-Trucks—15, 16.
The Rear Train-Tackles will be manned by
Nos. { 13.15.17.19.21.23.5. { 14.16.18.20.22.24.6.
VIII. "POINT!"
252. The Gun Captain adjusts or verifies the Sliding-Bar of the Rear sight to the desired range,[36] and steps off the slide directly to the rear, lock-lanyard in hand. The 2d Captain takes hold of the Elevating screw,[37] 15, 16 heave up the levers of Rear Slide-Trucks, and the Training-Tackles are manned by
Nos. { 13.15.17.19.21.23.5. { 14.16.18.20.22.24.6. (Right or Left.)
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IX. "READY—FIRE!"
253. The Gun Captain, with lock-lanyard just taut and his eye ranging over the sights, but kept well down to the bottom of the notch in head of sliding-bar, and over the point of middle sight, awaits these being brought into coincidence by the roll with the object, which is always the WATER-LINE—the Slide being trained constantly as desired by voice or sign.[38]
When sure of his aim, the Gun Captain draws the lock-lanyard promptly and firmly.
If the primer miss, the 2d Captain removes it, clears the vent, and puts in a fresh primer.
If the gun, when fired, does not come into its place for loading, ship Carriage-Levers, heave up, and run in by the In-Tackles to a taut breeching.
Down all levers and set Compressors.
If the firing or exercise is to continue, the next order is "Sponge."
If not, unshackle the breeching, then—Run in, back to rear hurter for pivoting—"Stand by to Pivot"—"Pivot to right or left;" when amidships—In Pivot-Bolt—"Run out," and secure for sea.
X. "SHIFT TO HOUSING-PIVOT, AND SECURE!"
254. The gun is brought into the housing position amidships and pivoted to the socket farthest from the extremity of the vessel, and run out.
No. 1 puts in the vent-plug, wipes and lays the hammer in place and the lock-string around it, then puts on the lock-cover; sees his gun properly secured, and the implements and spare articles returned to their places.
No. 2 levels the gun and wipes off and re-lacquers rear pivot-bolt and elevating screw; puts on sight-aprons; puts in rail-chocks and assists in securing lashings and breeching.
Loaders put in the tompion and on muzzle-bag, and wipe off and re-lacquer the front pivot-bolt.
Spongers return rammer and sponge to place, and assist in securing lashings and breeching.
Levermen wipe off and re-lacquer their respective levers and eccentrics, secure levers in place, and assist in securing the gun.
Compressormen wipe off, re-lacquer, and tighten the compressors, and assist Carpenter in replacing and securing bulwarks.
Shellmen return shells, empty boxes, and shell-bearer to their places, and assist in securing bulwarks.
Powderman returns spare powder and passing-box to the magazine.
Tacklemen tighten and secure "in" and "out tackles," and make up and stow "shifting" and "training tackles" on the slide; ship the clevis-bolts, pass and tighten the gun-lashings, and assist in replacing bulwarks.
The men who provide implements and spare articles return them to their places.
TRANSPORTING PIVOT-GUNS FROM ONE END OF A VESSEL TO THE OTHER.
255. The gun must be pivoted and trained so as to bring its muzzle towards the direction in which it is to be transported, the transporting-trucks shipped and secured to their axles, the chocking-quoins placed, the training-trucks thrown out of action, the compressors brought to bear to confine the gun near the middle of the slide, some of the tackles hooked for dragging, and others, with capstan-bars, for guiding and steadying it. The pivot-bolts are to be removed, and the gun's crew, aided by others if required, transport it to the desired position at the other end of the vessel. The slide is then brought over and pivoted upon a fighting or outer centre, the transporting-trucks removed, and the training-trucks brought into action. When the implements for working and loading the gun are brought to it, it will then be ready for action.
When the forward and after slides are of different lengths, and the traversing circles of different diameters, the longest slide will be fitted with an additional rear pivot-hole and plate, to correspond with the smaller circle, in order that the gun may be worked from the midship pivot-bolt and shifted to the different fighting centres or pivot-bolts of the smaller circle.
Thus, when only one pivot-gun is mounted forward and one aft, and when they can both be brought to bear from only one end of the vessel, the force may be doubled at that extremity by pivoting one gun on each bow or quarter, as the case may be.
For heavy guns this is practicable in smooth water only.
Arrangements are made for shifting the broadside-guns both to the bow and stern, in aid of the pivot-guns, when the distance of the enemy is not too great. When the stern gun is pivoted over the rudder, one of the broadside-guns may be worked on each side of it, in firing right aft. Guns mounted on pivot-carriages may be fought upon the rear pivot, on the common or shifting centre, and fired from any point of the traversing or shifting circle, if the elevation be such as will not endanger the decks. In this case the training must be done with the gun run in over the rear pivot, as after it is run out the training will be difficult, and the helm must be relied on to bring the gun on with the object.
Guns should never be transported about the deck of a ship when loaded.
NOTES UPON THE MANUAL EXERCISE.
FOURTH COMMAND.
"SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
"The Gun Captain-serves, then stops the vent!"
256. A difference of opinion being entertained among artillerists with regard to the utility of stopping the vent, the continuance of the practice, as directed in the text, is recommended.
The thumbstall has been made of various materials, but its use is somewhat inconvenient for the Gun Captain, and he cannot feel that the vent is stopped. At the Experimental Battery of the Ordnance Yard the naked thumb is used, and experience shows that the gun is never so hot as to occasion the least inconvenience, except with howitzers.
257. It has been the uniform practice at the Experimental Battery at the Ordnance Yard, Washington, and also on board the Gunnery Ship Plymouth, in 1857-'58, to use a moist sponge; and as no accident from premature explosion has taken place in either case, the inference is that the method is a safe one, and might obviate other precautions, especially where reloading is necessary, as in firing salutes, when, there being no shot over the cartridge, it is imperfectly consumed.
258. "Strikes the staff several smart taps under the muzzle!" to shake off any adhering fragments of the cartridge. Should any burning fragments be drawn out, the Loader extinguishes them with the wet swab; the Gun Captain again commands "Sponge."
259. Gun Captain "serves the vent with his priming-wire!" If at any time he should find the vent obstructed, and be unable to clear it with the priming-wire or boring-bit, he will at once report to the officer of division, who will order the vent-punch used; or, if this should fail, have recourse to the vent-drill and brace in charge of the Quarter Gunner. The boring-bit, vent-punch, and drills should be used with caution, as, being of steel, they are liable to be broken off in the vent and thus effectually spike the gun. After clearing the vent the bore should be sponged.
260. Spongers and Loaders are to be careful to keep their bodies as much within the port as practicable, otherwise at close quarters they will be picked off by musketry.
FIFTH COMMAND.
"LOAD!"
"No. 3 removes cap from fuze!"[39]
261. The cap is never to be removed until the shell has been entered in the gun. With high elevations, or when rolling, care should be taken that the shell does not slip down the bore before this is done.
The cap or patch is removed by taking hold of the lug with the forefinger and thumb, first raising it a little, and without twisting; a pull readily removes it. The patch is passed to the Gun Captain, as an evidence that the priming has been exposed; the patches to be preserved and accounted for at the end of the firing.
262. The Loader must be careful not to touch the fuze composition with his fingers, for fear of injuring it by moisture. Where the firing is not hurried it is advisable to raise the priming of the fuze, to insure its ignition. All of these details should be carefully explained to the crew.
263. No wad is required over a shell, but a selvagee wad may be used in heavy rolling.
264. When loading with shot a selvagee wad is placed over it. A part—half or a third—of a selvagee wad, is equally efficient in holding the shot in place.
265. Shells should be used against Ships at all distances where the penetration would be sufficient to lodge them. They are of no service in breaching solid stone walls, but are very effective against earthworks, ordinary buildings, and for bombarding. For these purposes a good percussion or concussion fuze is desirable, but no reliable fuzes of these kinds have as yet been devised.
266. Solid shot should only be used when great accuracy, at very long range, and penetration are required.
267. If, in loading, a shot or shell jams in the bore, no attempt should be made to force it down, but it should be withdrawn. This may be done with the ladle, by depressing and striking the muzzle against the lower sill of the port, or by running the gun out hard against the side at extreme depression.
268. A gun is not to be loaded with more than a single shot at once, without the express sanction of the Captain, and never with more than a single shell. Solid shot are not to be fired from shell-guns without a direct order from the Captain.
269. Experiments show that firing two loaded shells together should never be practised. With quite reduced charges [of from 1/8th to 1/12th the weight of the single shell], of 88 loaded shells thus fired, 25 were broken and 48 did not explode, and some of the remainder were exploded too soon by the shock of discharge. Of 50 unloaded 8-inch shells, fired two at the same time, with 6 lbs. of powder, only one was broken by the shock of the discharge. This difference between loaded and empty shells is accounted for by the fact that a small hole is generally broken into the outer shell, through which its charge is ignited. See p. 13, Report of Admiral Farragut, dated August 31, 1853, on experiments made at Old Point Comfort.
270. In loading with a shell, the most exact attention is required to all the precautions relating to the position of the fuze and the mode of setting home the shell. The Loader is to be specially instructed that unless the leaden patch is stripped off, to expose the priming, the fuze will not ignite, and consequently the shell cannot explode.
271. Grape-shot have not sufficient penetration to be used with effect, generally, against ships-of-war beyond 150 yards. When the men on the spar-decks of the enemy are exposed, by the heeling of the ship, grape or canister may be used against them, at distances varying from 200 to 300 yards. Against light vessels, a single stand of grape from heavy guns may be used at about 400 yards. The dispersion of the balls is about one-tenth the distance, and is practically independent of the charge.
272. The XI-inch gun, at 10 deg. elevation, gives for the mass of grape or canister a range of about 1,300 yards; the spread about 10 deg.. They may therefore be used with great effect against boats or exposed bodies of men.
273. A stand of grape is not to be used with any other projectile.
274. Canister or case-shot, prepared for immediate use, are supplied for all guns, including boat and field howitzers, and are effective at short distances against boats or exposed bodies of men; they may be used also, under favorable circumstances, against the tops of an enemy.
275. Shrapnel-shell or spherical case-shot is intended to exceed the range of canister, and is to be used only under the same circumstances, but at an increased distance. Canister is more effective at from 250 yards with the 12-pdr. howitzer, to 400 yards with the XI-inch; but beyond those distances shrapnel should be used up to 900 yards for the 12-pdr., and 1,500 with the XI-inch. A well-delivered shrapnel-shell from a heavy gun must sweep away the crew of a pivot or other gun, on a spar-deck not protected by bulwarks. The 'distant firing' charge is always to be used with shrapnel.
SEVENTH COMMAND.
"PRIME!"
"He inserts a primer and turns the hammer down upon it."
276. To prevent the primer from being blown out of the vent by the blast of the next gun, as occasionally happens on light-covered decks.
With guns of the old pattern this cannot be done, because, if turned down, it would interfere with the aim.
277. It is essential that the head of the primer shall be placed flat and pressed close upon the vent, that the hammer may strike it fairly. The tip of shellac, by which the lower end of the tube is sealed, occasionally obstructs the jet of flame so as to split the tube. In this case the flame is dispersed laterally, and fails to ignite the charge; it is therefore a good precaution to pinch the end of the tube before putting it into the vent.[40]
278. The tubes of all the primers are carefully gauged before issuing them for service; but such as, from any cause, become so much enlarged as not to go easily into the vent, should be rejected without attempting to force them down.
It will occasionally happen, either from carelessness or inattention to the instructions given for the proper manner of pulling the lock-string, that the head of the primer will be crushed without exploding it. Frequently a second and stronger pull will have the desired effect, if the fulminate has not been dispersed; in case, however, this attempt should prove unsuccessful, the tube of the primer should be drawn out, if possible, before using the priming-wire to clear the vent. |
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