93. CANISTER.

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT. XV. XI. X. IX. -+ Windage in. .25 .25 .25 .25 Height {Empty case in. 15.50 13.50 11.75 10.5 {Finished in. 14. 12. 10.5 9.5 Case notched, and turned over in. .75 .75 .65 .50 Thickness of head {Top in. 1. 5/8 5/8 5/8 {Middle in. 1. 5/8 {Bottom in. 2. 1. 1. 1. Size of {Rod in. 13/16 1/2 1/2 1/2 {Nut {diameter in. 2.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 {thickness in. 1.50 1. 1. 1. {Bale in. 1/2 3/5 5/8 3/5 Metal and thickness {Iron No. 20. 25. 25. 25. {Tin No. Balls {Number 600. 315. 290. 230. {Diameter in. 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 {Weight lbs. 150. 85. 70. 65. Weight finished lbs. 207. 120. 98. 70. + -

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT. 8. 32. 24. 12. - -+ Windage in. .25 .25 .15 .15 Height {Empty case in. 9.75 8.65 5. 3.85 {Finished in. 8.75 7.75 6. 5. Case notched, and turned over in. .50 .45 4.65 3.52 Thickness of head {Top in. .75 .50 .35 .3 {Middle in. {Bottom in. .75 .50 1.90 1.90 Size of {Rod in. {Nut { diameter in. {thickness in. {Bale in. Metal and thickness {Iron No. {Tin No. XXD XXD IC IC Balls {Number 162. 100. 39. 39. {Diameter in. 1.30 1.30 1.30 1. {Weight lbs. 45. 28. 12.5 5.85 Weight finished lbs. 50. 30. 14.55 7.75 + - -

NOTE.—Bottom of XV-inch canister, of two thicknesses of oak, ash, or beech, crossing each other; put together with wrought-iron nails, clinched; spindle riveting on the bottom through a 3 inches square plate, 1/4 thick; cast-iron hexagonal nut, with wrought-iron bale.

For XI, X, and IX-inch, bottom-head one thickness of one-inch oak, ash, or beech; spindle riveting on a plate 1-1/4 inches wide, by 1/4 thick, running across the grain the whole width of bottom, with a rivet at each end of plate.

Top and centre heads of all made of white pine.

Iron cases to be well painted inside with red before filling.

94. Shot of the first class, or which do not exceed 0.18 of an inch windage, are to be entirely black, and those of the second class, having from 0.18 to 0.20 of an inch windage, to be marked partly white. Each class is to be piled and kept separate from every other. Both classes are to be considered and supplied as "serviceable shot;" but are to be stowed separately on board ship, and the returns to the Bureau are to show the number of each, respectively. The number of those having more than 0.20 of an inch windage are to be reported and retained until special orders may be given for their disposition. In case any should be taken as the foundation for piling serviceable shot, they are to be painted entirely white and their number returned as unserviceable.

PILING OF BALLS.

95. To find the number of balls in a pile—Multiply the sum of the three parallel edges by one-third of the number of balls in a triangular face.

In a square pile one of the parallel edges contains but one ball; in a triangular pile two of the edges have but one ball in each. The number of balls in a triangular face is x(x+1)/2; x being the number in the bottom row. The sum of the three parallel edges in a triangular pile is x+2; in a square pile, 2x+1; in an oblong pile, 3X + 2x-2; X being the length of the top row, and x the width of the bottom tier; or 3m-x+1; m being the length, x the width of the bottom tier.

If a pile consists of two piles joined at a right angle, calculate the contents of one as a common oblong pile, and of the other as a pile of which the three parallel edges are equal.

96. TABLE GIVING THE NUMBER OF BALLS IN A TRIANGULAR PILE, THE BASE OF WHICH IS X.

VALUE OF VALUE OF VALUE OF VALUE OF VALUE OF - - - - - X. S. X. S. X. S. X. S. X. S. - - - - - 1 1 6 56 11 286 16 816 21 1771 2 4 7 84 12 364 17 969 22 2024 3 10 8 120 13 455 18 1140 23 2300 4 20 9 165 14 560 19 1330 24 2600 5 35 10 220 15 680 20 1540 25 2925 - - - - -

97. TABLE GIVING THE NUMBER OF BALLS CONTAINED IN A SQUARE PILE, THE BASE OF WHICH IS X, AND IN A RECTANGULAR PILE, THE SIDES OF WHICH ARE X AND X + N.

VALUE DIFFERENCES VALUE OF N. OF - - X. 2d. 1st. 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 2 7 9 5 8 11 14 17 3 9 16 14 20 26 32 38 4 11 25 30 40 50 60 70 5 13 36 53 30 85 100 115 6 15 49 91 112 133 154 175 7 17 64 140 168 196 224 552 8 19 81 204 240 276 312 348 9 21 100 285 330 375 420 465 10 23 121 385 440 495 550 605 11 23 144 506 572 638 704 770 12 27 159 650 728 805 884 962 13 29 196 819 910 1001 1092 1183 14 31 225 1015 1120 1225 1330 1435 15 33 255 1240 1360 1480 1600 1720 16 35 286 1496 1632 1768 1904 2040 17 37 324 1785 1988 2091 2244 2397 18 39 361 2109 2280 2451 2622 2793 19 41 400 2470 2660 2850 3040 3239 20 43 441 2870 3080 3290 3500 3710 21 45 484 3311 3542 3773 4004 4235 22 47 529 3795 4048 4301 4554 4807 23 49 576 4325 4600 4876 5152 5428 24 51 625 4900 5200 5500 5800 6100 25 53 676 8525 5850 6175 6500 6825

VALUE OF N. DIFFERENCES - 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1st. 2d. - 20 23 26 29 32 35 3 3 44 50 56 62 68 74 6 4 80 90 100 110 120 130 10 5 130 145 160 175 190 205 15 6 - 196 217 238 259 280 301 21 7 280 308 336 364 392 420 28 8 384 420 456 492 528 564 36 9 510 555 100 645 690 735 45 10 660 715 770 825 880 935 55 11 - 838 902 968 1034 1100 1166 66 12 1040 1118 1196 1274 1352 1430 78 13 1274 1365 1456 1547 1638 1729 91 14 1540 1645 1750 1855 1960 2065 105 15 1840 1960 2080 2200 2320 2440 120 16 - 2126 2312 2448 2584 2720 2856 136 17 2550 2703 2556 3009 3162 3315 154 18 2964 3135 3806 3477 3648 3819 111 19 3420 3610 3800 3990 4180 4370 190 20 3920 4130 4340 4550 4760 4970 210 21 - 4466 4697 4928 5159 5390 5621 231 22 5060 5313 5566 5819 6072 6325 253 23 5704 3980 6256 6532 6803 7084 276 24 6400 6700 7000 7300 7600 7900 300 25 7150 7475 7800 8125 8450 8775 325 26 -

The number contained in a square pile is found in the column opposite the number X.

In a rectangular pile let the smaller side be 19 = X, the longer side be 26 = X + N. Then N = 7. Under 7 and opposite 19 we have 3,800. This table may be indefinitely extended by the aid of the columns of differences.

PRESERVATION OF SHOT AND EMPTY SHELL.

98. All round shot and shell are to be cleaned from rust and covered with a thin lacquer of such composition as may be directed by the Bureau when they are first received and when they are restowed.

99. For the present the following colors are established when put on board ship: All shot, black; shell, red; shrapnel, white; length of fuze stencilled on the shell. Special kinds of shell, as may be directed by Bureau. (Crane's shell, yellow; Pevey, blue.)

100. Empty shell, whether in store or in transportation, shall be most carefully protected from damp, and are to have the fuze-bouching coated with such composition as may be directed, and be stopped by a plug of very soft wood, well coated with a mixture of oil and tallow, screwed into them. The ends of the plugs should not be sawed off even with the shell, but left square and project sufficiently to allow them to be unscrewed by means of a wrench, and whenever these plugs are removed for the purpose of fitting the shells for service, they are not to be thrown away but preserved for future use.

They are to be piled with the fuze-holes down, and free from contact; under cover when practicable, but with free ventilation.

101. Platforms of masonry, or of condemned shot, are to be prepared to pile shot and shell upon, and are not to be wider, if space can be found than to stow fourteen 32-pdr. shot, or not exceeding eight feet in width. Square piles are to be preferred where there is room, but where this may be deficient, the piles may be extended in length.

102. Shot and shell, after having been piled, are to be so far examined in the first week of June in each year as to ascertain if they require to be cleaned, relacquered, and repiled to secure their proper preservation; and their condition reported to the Bureau, that if any work upon them is necessary it may be finished during the warm months of the year, when the lacquer can be best applied.

103. Whenever shot or shell are to receive lacquer care must be taken that the quantity applied does not increase the diameter more than is indispensably necessary, and in no case above the established high gauge. Old lacquer and rust should be removed by scraping, as far as can be conveniently done before a new coating is applied. For use at the Navy Yards, a milling machine performs this very expeditiously. Neither hammering nor heating is to be resorted to for this purpose.

NOTE.—After numerous experiments upon different lacquers employed for the preservation of shot and shell from rust, the French have abandoned all of them.

The shot and shell are simply piled, under sheds when practicable, or in the open air, and when put on board ship cleaned of rust and rubbed over with whale oil—the same means adopted every three months during the cruise.

PREPARATION OF SHELL FOR SERVICE.

104. The fuzes for shell will be prepared at the Laboratory in the Ordnance Yard at Washington, and distributed to other Navy Yards as they may be required. All fuzes taken from shell, or returned from ships which have been more than one year in service, are to be sent to the laboratory to be refitted. Fuzes of over two years date of manufacture, are not to be issued for service, but returned to the laboratory.

105. The charges of powder for spherical shell are to be as follows:

XV- XI- X- IX- 8- 32- BOAT AND FIELD INCH INCH INCH INCH INCH PDR. HOWITZERS. + 24-pdr. 12-pdr. -+ + + + + + + -+ Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Bursting or Service Charge 13 6.00 4.00 3.00 1.85 0.90 1.0 0.5 Blowing Charge 1.0 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 -+ + + + + + + -+

NOTE.—The weight of charges for shells will vary slightly from those given in the table according to the size of the grain and density of the powder.

106. All empty shell, whether in store or in transportation, shall be most carefully protected from dampness, and their fuze-holes invariably closed with wooden plugs. Whenever these plugs are removed for the purpose of fitting the shells for service, they are not to be thrown away, but preserved for future use. If by any accident the shell should be damp in the interior, they are to be heated and dried, on the grillage prepared for that purpose.

107. The number of shell to be kept fitted at the Navy Yards will be determined by special directions from the Bureau.

In fitting shell to receive the bouching, great carelessness has been observed. The hole should be tapped with a full thread, and the proper shoulder left at the bottom to prevent the bouching from being driven in by the shock of firing and causing premature explosion.

108. All shell shall be filled with musket-powder of the highest initial velocity. The shell must be filled, and the powder well shaken down, leaving only room for the insertion of the fuze. A wooden plug the size of the lower part of the fuze will always determine this. The very common, but slovenly, practice of filling the shell, and then pouring out a quantity sufficient to allow the fuze to be inserted, is expressly prohibited. Shell have also been returned with the powder in the vicinity of the fuze compressed into a solid mass, owing to the fact that sufficient room had not been left for its insertion. No shell shall be fuzed unless it has been filled.

109. The date when shell are fuzed or filled, as well as that on which any of these arrangements are changed, or the shell are examined before issue to vessels, together with the initials of the officer superintending these operations, should be legibly written and pasted on the shell, or stencilled on the box.

110. The Ordnance Officer, or the Gunner of the Yard, is to see the shell supplied to all vessels properly conveyed on board, superintend the stowage, and furnish the Commanding Officer with a statement showing the number of each description of shell and fuze, and a plan of their stowage.

111. The condition of the shell, and especially of their fuzes, is to be frequently and carefully examined into, taking out a fuze occasionally so as to detect any injury which may arise from moisture, and to have such as may be found damaged replaced by the spare fuzes.

Boat shell and their spare fuzes are also to undergo a similar examination.

Shell have been sometimes returned with their fuzes entirely destroyed by moisture!!

112. It has been found recently, on drawing the charge of a 12-pounder howitzer in one of the small gunboats, that in cutting its fuze (Bormann) the incision had been made directly into the magazine.

Had the gun been fired, the explosion of the shrapnell must have occurred at the muzzle of the gun.

There is no doubt such errors will often account for the supposed defects of the fuze.

The attention of officers is therefore required to this subject; and, in making reports of defective ammunition, samples should be forwarded to Washington for examination.

It is of the gravest importance, not only because it involves the failure of the shell to act properly upon the object of fire, but may also endanger the lives of our own men.

113. Whenever it is expedient or necessary to examine the fuzes and loading of shell which have been already prepared, great care must be observed in removing the fuze. It should never be done in the shell-room.

114. The fuze-stock may generally be safely unscrewed with the fuze-wrench, taking care, in the first place, to strike the side of the shell gently with a wooden mallet, to detach the powder from the fuze, to work very slowly, and not to endeavor to overcome any unusual resistance.

115. Whenever it shall be necessary to load and fuze shell on board ship—a properly secured place being first prepared, as directed by the Captain, not in the shell-room and as far from the magazine as convenient—the shell, being strapped and sabotted, are to be examined to see that they are clean, both inside and out, and thoroughly dry. The greatest care is to be taken to remove every particle of sand or fragment of iron from the interior. The prescribed charge of powder is next to be poured into them through a proper funnel; care is to be taken that the end of the funnel passes below the screw-thread in the tap or bouching, to prevent any grains of powder entering it; any grains of it which may remain sticking to the thread of the bouching are to be brushed away carefully, and then, after putting a light coat of lacquer for small arms, or sperm oil, on this thread and on that of the fuze, the latter is to be screwed in carefully with the fuze-wrench. The lacquer should be of the consistency of cream, and when from evaporation, it becomes too stiff, should be thinned by adding more spirits of turpentine.

116. In emptying shell they are to be handled carefully and placed on a bench with a hole in it to receive and support the inverted shell. A wooden vessel placed below will receive the powder. The powder which has been removed from shell shall only be used for filling shell, as it always contains a small quantity of grit, which renders it unfit for general service. Should the powder have become caked, so as not to be easily removed from the shell, it is to be drowned and removed by washing out the shell. A handful of small iron shot put in the shell will facilitate this operation.

117. Loaded shell are to be painted red and placed in boxes or bags marked with a red cross, which boxes are to have the lengths of fuze painted on them in black. Shrapnel shell and the tops of their boxes shall be painted white, with the length of fuze stencilled on them in black. They are to be stowed in shell-houses prepared for that purpose. Loaded shell, whether in or out of their boxes, must be handled carefully. Shell-bags will be preserved, accounted for by the Gunner, and returned.

118. The greatest precaution must be taken in handling loaded shells fitted with percussion-fuzes. When returned from ships they must not be taken into the shell-houses until after the fuzes shall have been removed and the shell plugged.

119. Shell-houses, and the general condition of the shell they contain, are to be examined as often as once a fortnight by the Ordnance Officer, and every precaution taken to keep them as dry as possible.

120. The shell for boat guns are to be stowed in "the shell-houses" on shore, and "shell-rooms" on board of vessels, in their proper boxes.

121. One-fourth of the whole number of spare fuzes allowed for the great guns is to be for 5 seconds of time; one-fourth for 10 seconds; one-fourth for 15 seconds; one-fourth assorted of 3, 5, 7, and 20 seconds.

122. All the spherical shell, however, put on board ship, filled and fitted for immediate use, are to be provided with none other than the 5-second fuze. No fuze is, under any circumstances, to be put in shell which are not filled.

123. For rifled cannon the shell shall be fitted with one-half percussion, one-half time fuze. Parrott's shell will have bouching, or "adapting" rings for the naval time fuze. The new form of adapter, with a shoulder and washer beneath it, shall alone be used.

124. At ranges exceeding 1,400 yards the 10 or 15-second fuzes, according to such excess, are to be substituted for the 5-second fuze, by removing one and putting in the other; or, if preferred, those fuzes may be applied to shell which are not already fitted. The 5-second fuze is to be regarded as the general working fuze, and hence the reason the filled shell are to be fitted with it, as mentioned above. (See TABLE OF RANGES for proper lengths of fuze for all distances.)

125. The different kinds of fuzes shall be made up in separate packages, distinctly marked with the kind and length of fuze, and their use carefully explained to the Executive Officer and Gunner by the Inspector of Ordnance.

126. In consequence of numerous reports received from vessels in service of the inefficiency of certain fuzes, commanders of vessels are required to observe carefully the action and result of all fuzes, and report in detail to the Bureau of Ordnance whenever opportunities may occur, particularly specifying the number and kind fired, elevation of gun, range, premature explosions, failures to explode, and satisfactory action. Also, whether the fire was direct or ricochet.

127. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS, IN INCHES, FOR SHELL-BOXES.

For XV-inch shell, 18 x 18 by 20 high. For XI-inch shell, 12.75 x 12.75 by 14.5 high. For X-inch shell, 11.65 x 11.65 by 13.9 high. For IX-inch shell, 10.63 x 10.63 by 12.9 high. For 8-inch shell, 10.20 x 10.10 by 12.2 high. For 32-pounder shell, 8.60 x 8.50 by 10.2 high.

128. AREAS OCCUPIED BY ONE TIER OF SHELL-BOXES.

XI-INCH. X-INCH. IX-INCH. 8-INCH. 32-POUNDER. -+ + -+ -+ -+ + -+ + -+ No. Ft. In. No. Ft. In. No. Ft. In. No. Ft. In. No. Ft. In. -+ + -+ -+ -+ + -+ + -+ 72 15.5-1/2 x 75 15.2 x 102 15.8-1/4 x 108 16 x 6 176 16 x 6 5.8-1/2 5.3-1/2 5.9-1/4 52 14.4 x 56 14.2 x 80 14.9-1/4 x 85 15 x 5 140 15 x 5 4.6-1/2 4.1-1/2 4.9-1/2 -+ + -+ -+ -+ + -+ + -+

GUNPOWDER.

STOWAGE, PRESERVATION, HANDLING, AND CHARGES.

129. The Bureau having adopted a new system of granulating Navy powder, the different classes will in future be known and designated as RIFLE, CANNON, and MUSKET.

Gunpowder intended for ordinary use in cannon is to have sufficient strength to give a 6-pounder shot the under-mentioned Initial Velocities, determinable by the gun-pendulum of the Ordnance Yard at Washington.

130. The size of the grains is determined by sieves, made by piercing round holes in thin plates of brass. These sieves are five in number, the holes being of the following diameters, viz.:

No. 1, .3 of an inch } Initial Velocity required, No. 2, .15 do. } 1450 feet + 50 - 50, for Rifle.

No. 2, .15 do. } Initial Velocity required, No. 3, .10 do. } 1500 feet + 50 - 50, for Cannon.

No. 4, .06 do. } Initial Velocity required, No. 5, .02 do. } 1550 feet + 50 - 50, for Musket.

Rifle powder is used in the Parrott rifles of 8-inch, 100-pounder, and 60-pounder. Navy cannon powder in all other rifles and all smooth-bores.

131. Size of the grain is required to conform to the following:

Pass through No. 1 } Remain on No. 2 } all Rifle. Pass through No. 2 } Remain on No. 3 } all Cannon. Pass through No. 4 } Remain on No. 5 } all Musket.

Ten per cent. variation tolerated.

132. GRAVIMETRIC DENSITY, is the weight of a given measured quantity: it is usually expressed by the weight of a cubic foot in ounces.

This cannot be relied on for the true density, as the size and shape of the grain may make the denser powder seem the lighter.

Cannon powder should have a gravimetric density of about 875 oz., and not exceeding 900 oz., to the cubic foot. (It actually varies with different makers from 875 to 975.)

133. SPECIFIC GRAVITY.—The specific gravity of gunpowder is between 1.70 and 1.75.

All the powder of any lot being made of the same mill-cake, the specific gravities are equal although the gravimetric densities may vary.

134. Powder for small arms, or musket powder, should all pass through No. 4, none through No. 5, and average from 2,000 to 2,500 kernels in tea grains Troy.

All powder should be well glazed; for small arms more highly than for cannon.

135. The system of granulation adopted by the Army differs from that of the Navy, as follows:

ALL THROUGH— ALL ON— Mammoth 0.9 in. 0.6 in. Cannon 0.35 0.25 Mortar 0.10 0.06 Musket 0.06 0.03

It will be seen by this Table that under the Army nomenclature, Navy Rifle nearly corresponds to Army Cannon; that the Army Mortar is the nearest equivalent to Navy Cannon, but with much more fine grain, as it is what passes through the cannon-sieve, but remains on the musket-sieve; and that the Navy Musket has the same size for the larger grain, but contains more small grain than the Army.

In exchanging powder with the Army, it is necessary to attend to these distinctions.

136. Powder-houses or magazines on shore are to be inspected by the Ordnance Officers at least once in every week, and every precaution taken to guard them against danger of explosion, and to preserve the powder dry and in good condition.

137. Powder-barrels in magazines, where there are no racks, should be placed on their sides, with their marked ends towards the alleys, three tiers high, or four tiers, if necessary, with small skids on the floor and between the several tiers of barrels, using chocks at intervals on the lower skids to prevent the barrels from rolling. If it can be avoided, fixed ammunition should not be put in the same magazine with powder in barrels.

138. If it is necessary to pile the barrels more than four tiers high, the upper tiers should be supported by a frame resting on the floor; or the barrels may be placed on their heads, with boards between the tiers.

There should be an unencumbered space of 6 or 8 feet square at the doors of the magazine.

139. Whenever practicable, the barrels should be arranged in double rows, with a passage-way between the rows, so that the marks on each barrel may be seen at a glance, and any barrel easily reached.

140. Besides being recorded in the magazine-book, each lot of powder should be inscribed on a ticket attached to the lot showing the entries and the issues.

141. Magazines should be opened and aired in clear, dry weather, the ventilators kept free, and no shrubbery or trees allowed to grow so near as to shade the building from the sun.

142. The moisture of a magazine may be absorbed by chloride of lime, or charcoal, suspended in an open box under the arch, and renewed from time to time. The use of quicklime is dangerous, and forbidden.

143. When powder is handled in powder-houses on shore, either for the purpose of inspection or preparation for delivery to ships, the baize-cloth is to be spread, and the people, before entering the magazine, must divest themselves of every metal implement, empty their pockets, that nothing likely to produce fire may escape detection, and put on the magazine dresses and slippers. The barrels must be opened only on the floor-cloth, and no metallic setter used in driving either copper or wooden hoops.

Powder-barrels should never be opened except when required for use, as grains of powder falling between the staves would prevent their being tightened. Samples must be taken from the bung.

144. The attention of the Inspectors of Ordnance and Commanders of vessels is called to the Regulations regarding the stowage and service of powder and loaded shells in Magazines and Shell-rooms, ashore and afloat, and to the precautions which must be observed by every one who enters, or approaches for the purpose of entering, any Magazine or Shell-room.

The former Regulations are modified so far as to dispense entirely with the use of slippers made of either India-rubber or woollen; and in lieu thereof, slippers made wholly of buckskin or cotton canvas will be used in future. In hot climates, or in warm weather generally, the naked feet are preferred.

The terrible effect of the explosion of a Magazine or Shell-room, ashore or on board ship, can only be imagined. To avert it, by every human precaution, is an imperative duty with every one. The Bureau therefore directs that the Inspectors of Ordnance on shore and the Commanders of all vessels afloat will cause the existing Powder Regulations to be read, and copies placed within the reach of every officer and man connected in the remotest degree with the service of the Magazine and Shell-rooms; and no officer or other person is to be continued in such service who cannot within a reasonable time answer clearly and fully any questions relating to the requirements of existing Powder Regulations as contained in these "Ordnance Instructions."

145. The powder in barrels should be turned from time to time, at least as often as every three months, and, being arranged as mentioned above, the oldest powder will be at all times accessible for first delivery without disturbing that of more recent manufacture.

146. When powder is sent on board any vessel at the Yard, an Ordnance Officer or the Gunner is to see it properly stowed, and the Ordnance Officer is to hand to the Captain of the vessel a statement showing the quantity of powder, number and capacity of tanks, kind of charges contained in each, with the initial velocity, maker, and date of reception, with a list of small-arm and boat ammunition, fireworks, filled and other shells and projectiles, together with all the information directed by the three articles immediately following, with such remarks as he may deem proper to secure better precaution or more convenient arrangement, with a request that the memorandum, or a copy of it, may be delivered to the Ordnance Officer at the Yard where the vessel is refitted or laid up at the end of the cruise.

147. When cartridges are filled for issue to any vessel, the powder should be selected, as far as practicable, from deliveries made by the same person, and at the same time or date; and the tanks in which they are stowed must be marked with white paint on the upper sides, with the same marks as the barrels from which the powder was taken, giving the date of manufacture and the maker's name.

148. Great irregularities having been observed in the weights of cartridges supplied from different stations, it is ordered that at least ten measures shall be weighed at each filling, and allowance made for different densities. (See Art. 171.)

149. Whenever powder is returned into the powder-houses from vessels, and the powder emptied from the cartridges, care must be taken to have the barrels or other vessels in which the powder may be placed marked in the same manner and registered in the Magazine Ledger, so that the maker's name and date of manufacture of all powder may be correctly known and carefully preserved for reference.

150. The names of vessels from which powder is received, the length of time which the powder has been on board, and the station on which the vessel has been employed, should also be noted and reported by the Ordnance Officer, that reference may be had to the notes in case it should be desired in subsequent examinations of the powder.

151. In some instances where powder has been condemned by survey, it has been directed to be thrown overboard. This should never be done; the nitre contained, which forms three-fourths (3/4) of the powder, is still perfectly good, and can be made serviceable. In future, condemned powder is always to be returned to the United States.

152. The Ordnance Officers, when they supply vessels with powder, or remove any from them, must report to the Bureau by the earliest opportunity all the information which is required to be noted by Articles 147, 149, 150, immediately preceding; and when powder is received from vessels returning from cruises, or after it has been long embarked, they are to forward to the Ordnance Yard, Washington, a sample of two pounds and one-fourth, properly labelled, for every five hundred pounds landed, selected so as to show fair average samples of the whole, in order that its strength may be ascertained by the pendulum.

153. In case of necessity, powder for saluting may be purchased abroad in order to preserve a supply of our own proof powder for battle.

154. When a vessel is about to leave a foreign station and return directly to the United States, and other vessels belonging to the Navy are left on the station without a full supply of powder, the vessel which is about to leave may be directed to transfer to those remaining on the station any excess of powder that may be on board beyond fifty rounds.

155. Should it become necessary to use powder for service charges which has not been regularly inspected and proved in the manner required by regulations, such tests of it must be made as circumstances will admit.

The ranges given by it may be compared with those of service powder of known good quality under the same circumstances. If deficient in strength, the quantity of the charges should be increased until the ranges are equalized, in order that the sight-bars may still indicate the proper elevations for each charge and distance.

156. It is directed that vessels of war shall always receive their powder and loaded shells in the stream; unless, upon some great emergency, the nature of which shall be reported to the Bureau, it is deemed essential to put them on board at the Navy Yard.

157. When receiving or landing powder, the red flag is to be always hoisted at the fore, and all proper precautions taken to guard against accidents from fires and lights. The tanks should be passed through the ports most convenient to the magazines, and landed on mats, to prevent injury.

The red flag is always to be hoisted at the powder-houses when they are opened, and kept flying until they are closed.

158. When avoidable, gunpowder is not to be sent from vessels to powder-houses, nor from powder-houses to vessels, in wet weather, nor when there is a probability of wetting the barrels or cases; and the packages must be conveyed in covered boats or wagons showing a red flag.

159. The wharf or landing-place must be spread with old canvas, so that the barrels or cases may not come in contact with and convey sand or gravel to the powder-house. The barrels must not be rolled, but carried in slings to the trucks running on tramways of either wood or bronze, into the magazine.

160. The service charges for the different calibres and classes of naval smooth-bore guns now used in the Navy are as follows, and the cartridges are to be filled accordingly, viz.:

SERVICE CHARGES FOR NAVAL GUNS.

KEY:

A: For distant firing, 0.1 B: For ordinary firing, 0.6 C: For near firing or two projectiles, 0.3 D: DIAMETER OF CARTRIDGE-GAUGE. E: SALUTING CHARGES, NO. 50.

CHARGES OF NAVY ORDNANCE. POWDER. - - - - D E Calibre. Weight. A B C - - - - lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. Cylindrical. lbs. X-inch or 130-pounder 16,000 lbs. 30. 18. 15. 9.00 inches. 6. 64-pounder 106 cwt. 16. 12. 8. 7.00 inches. 4. 32-pounder 61 cwt. 10. 8. 6. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 57 cwt. 9. 8. 6. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 51 cwt. 8. 7. 5. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 46 cwt. 7 7. 5. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 42 cwt. 6. 6. 4. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 33 cwt. 4.5 4.5 4. 5.50 inches. 4. 32 do. 27 cwt. 4. 4. 3. 5.50 inches. 3. Shell-guns For Conical. near firing. XV-inch 42,000 lbs. 50. 35. 35. XI-inch 15,700 lbs. 20. 15. 15. 11 x 5.5 x 11 7. X-inch 12,000 lbs. 15. 12.5 12.5 10 x 5. x 10 6. IX-inch 9,000 lbs. 13. 10. 10. 9 x 4.5 x 9 5. 8-inch 6,500 lbs. 7. 7. 7. 8 x 5. x 8 4. 32-pounder 4,500 lbs. 6. 6. 6. Cylindrical. 8-inch 63 cwt. 9. 8. 6. 5.50 4. 8-inch 55 cwt. 7. 7. 6. 5.50 4. - - - -

N.B.—Two projectiles are not to be fired from any gun at the same time, except at objects within 200 yards' distance, and only when the advantages at the moment may be deemed by the Captain sufficient to justify the risk of injuring the guns and their equipments by the extra strain to which they will be exposed.

With the 15-inch guns at close quarters against iron-clads, 60 lbs. and a solid shot may be used for 20 rounds. So also with the 11-inch, 30 lbs. and a solid shot. With all the other guns, under like circumstances, and where penetration is desired, the distant firing charges should be substituted for the near firing.

Of the service charges, one-tenth shall be for distant firing, six-tenths for ordinary firing, three-tenths for near firing, or for two projectiles. Saluting charges to be of under-proof powder.

The calibre and class of guns for which the cartridges are intended must be distinctly marked near the top of the lid end of the tanks.

161. TABLE OF CHARGES FOR NAVY RIFLE GUNS.

ORDNANCE. CHARGE OF POWDER. GUN. Diameter of Calibre. Diameter Weight. Weight. Kind. Cartridge- of Bore. Gauge. - - - - Pounder. Inches. Lbs. Lbs. Inches. Parrott 100 6.40 9,700 8. Rifle. 5.50 Do. 60 5.30 5,400 6. Rifle. 4.60 Do. 30 4.20 3,550 3.25 Cannon. 3.70 Do. 20 3.67 1,750 2. Cannon. 3.25 Dahlgren 20 4.00 1,340 2. Cannon. Do. 12 3.40 880 1. Cannon. - - - -

162. POWDER-TANKS.

+ -+ + - EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS. + -+ CAPACITY OF Height APPROXIMATE TANK FOR in inches WEIGHT, WHEN WEIGHT, WHEN POWDER IN including EMPTY. FILLED WITH GRAIN. Lid and Sides in inches. CYLINDERS. Handle. + -+ -+ + - 200 pounds 22-1/4 16-1/2 x 16-1/2 67-1/2 pounds. 218 Pounds. 150 pounds 22-1/8 15 x 15 59-1/2 pounds. 170 to 180 lbs. 100 pounds 20-1/2 13 x 13 50 pounds 16-3/4 10-1/4 x 10-1/4 + -+ -+ + -

163. ACCOMMODATION AFFORDED BY POWDER-TANKS OF DIFFERENT SIZES FOR CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS KINDS WHEN CLOSELY PACKED.

- - CAPACITY OF TANK FOR POWDER WILL STOW CARTRIDGES AS FOLLOWS: IN GRAIN. - - - - - - - - - - DENOMINATION. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. 20 16 15 12.5 10 9 8 7 6 - - - - - - - - - - 200 pounds. 9 11 12 14 18 20 22 25 30 150 pounds. 6 8 9 10 13 15 16 20 24 100 pounds. 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 13 16 50 pounds. 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 Powder-barrel. 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 - - - - - - - - - -

-+ -+ CAPACITY OF TANK FOR POWDER WILL STOW CARTRIDGES AS FOLLOWS: IN GRAIN. -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ DENOMINATION. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. 5 4.5 4 3.25 3 2 1.85 1 -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ 200 pounds. 36 40 45 52 60 95 100 190 150 pounds. 27 30 36 40 45 71 72 145 100 pounds. 18 20 24 27 31 46 48 95 50 pounds. 9 10 11 13 15 21 23 46 Powder-barrel. 26 35 52 55 108 -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+ -+

FIXED AMMUNITION FOR BOAT GUNS AND SMALL ARMS.

164. The charges for "boat and field howitzers" are—

lbs. For the 24-pounder of 1,310 lbs. 2.00 For the medium 12-pounder of 760 lbs. 1.00 For the light 12-pounder of 430 lbs. 0.625

165. DIMENSIONS OF BOXES FOR BOAT AMMUNITION.

PROJECTILES WITH CHARGE OF POWDER FOR HOWITZER ATTACHED, NOT TO BE STOWED IN THE MAGAZINE.

-+ -+ -+ -+ + CALIBRE KIND OF NUMBER OF DIMENSION OF WEIGHT, IN OF BOAT PROJECTILE. PROJECTILES BOXES, IN POUNDS. HOWITZER. BOX INCHES. CONTAINS. Empty. Filled. -+ -+ -+ -+ + -+ 24-Pdr. Shrapnel 9 22 x 20.75 by 13.75 high 35-1/3 270-1/2 24-Pdr. Canister 9 22 x 20.75 by 13.50 high 36-1/3 217-5/6 12-pdr. heavy Shrapnel 9 18.75 x 17.75 by 11.13 high 22-7/8 140-1/2 12-pdr. heavy Canister 9 18.75 x 17.75 by 12.25 high 25-1/2 114-3/4 -+ -+ -+ -+ + -+

166. The cartridges for small arms are to contain the following quantities of powder:

For muskets 70 grains, Troy. For muskets (marine) 60 grains, Troy. For pistols 30 grains, Troy. For revolvers 18 grains, Troy.

The ball-cartridges for rifles and rifled muskets are to be made with a single Minie ball.

167. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS AND CONTENTS OF BOXES

FOR SMALL-ARM AMMUNITION AND FIREWORKS.

+ + + EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS. ARTICLES. + + + + EACH BOX REMARKS. Length. Width. Depth. CONTAINS + + + + + Inches. Inches. Inches. Musket-ball cartridges 12-1/2 8-1/4 8-1/4 500 Musket blank cartridges 9-5/8 7-3/4 8-1/2 500 Carbine rifle-ball cartridges 14-1/2 9-1/4 7-3/8 1000 Pistol-ball cartridges 13-3/4 6-3/4 7-1/4 1000 Blue-lights 20-1/2 13 6-7/8 30 False lights 20-1/2 13 6-7/8 30 Port-fires 19-3/4 10-1/4 10-1/4 100 First size. Port-fires 19-3/4 10-1/4 6-1/4 50 Second size. Signal rockets 15-1/4 9-1/2 8-1/4 30 Percussion-caps 11-3/4 9-1/4 7-3/8 6300 + + + + +

N.B.—There is a variation in the dimensions of the above boxes, as made, of 1/3 of an inch, on an average, in their exteriors.

168. Percussion-caps and bullets for small arms will be supplied from the Ordnance Yard at Washington.

169. The boxes in which cartridges for small arms, caps, primers, etc., are packed for distribution to vessels, are to be marked with the number they contain, and the kind of arm for which they are intended. At the expiration of the cruise they must be carefully returned into store, and the Gunner will be held peculiarly responsible for their loss.

170. Standard powder-measures for filling cartridges for great guns will be made at the Ordnance Yard, Washington, and distributed as they may be required for the use of vessels and shore magazines. As the gravimetric density of powder varies from 860 to 940, the weight of the contents of ten measures should be ascertained for each lot, and allowance made accordingly before filling the cartridges.

171. In taking the weights, the powder is to be scooped up from the filling-chest with the measure until it is heaped, tapped twice moderately on the sides with the palms of the hands, and then struck with a wooden straight-edge. If the weight differs materially from that marked on the measure, a small compensating measure should be used to supply the deficiency or remove the excess.

CANNON-PRIMERS.

172. These are of two kinds, percussion and friction. Each percussion-primer is composed of a quill tube capped by an explosive wafer. The quills used for this purpose are first inspected by passing them through a gauge rather smaller than the vent.

The tube is filled with fine-grained powder.

The wafer is composed of a cap of cartridge-paper, enclosing a layer of fulminate of mercury combined with a small quantity of mealed powder. When pressed and perfectly dry, the wafer is coated with uncolored shellac, to preserve it from dampness.

173. Primers are to be kept in tin boxes containing fifty each, the lids of which are luted with shellac to exclude moisture until wanted for immediate use. These boxes are intended to fit in and form a lining to the primer-boxes which slip on the waist-belts worn by Captains of guns. For purposes of exercise no more of these boxes should be opened than are required; but for action a full box should be delivered to each Captain and 2d Captain of a gun.

174. A friction-primer consists of a tube charged with gunpowder, to the top of which is fastened a spur containing friction-powder, which is exploded by means of a slider pulled out by a lanyard. It is intended for use in case the lock should be out of order, or the other primers fail from any unforeseen cause. Friction-primers are packed in tin boxes in the same manner as percussion-primers. They are obtained from the Army as required.

175. Filled boxes of primers are kept in close laboratory cases, for which stowage must be provided in the general store-room of the ship, or other safe place.[1] They are on no account to be placed in the magazine, and the boxes must be so labelled before being put on board ship.

176. When primers have been returned from cruising ships, or have remained in store for one or more years, they must be tested by firing five per cent. of the number, and not issued again without special orders.

177. Damaged fuzes, primers, caps, and tubes, are always to be returned to the Ordnance Yard at Washington, in the condition in which they were received on the return of the ship.

178. The boxes containing metallic cartridges for breech-loading arms require the same care as percussion-caps, and are to be labelled, "On no account to be placed in the magazine."

179. PERCUSSION-CAPS for muskets, carbines, and pistols are made in the laboratory at the Washington Navy Yard. They are put up in small packages of water-proof paper, labelled with the number contained in the package and the date of fabrication, and stowed in tin cases containing 350 caps each.

180. Laboratory boxes, in which these are packed, are of the following dimensions: 11-3/4 x 9-1/4 x 7-3/8 inches, and will contain 6,300 percussion-caps each. These boxes are to be labelled, "On no account to be placed in the magazine." Stowage is provided for them in the general store-room.

CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

181. The material of which cartridge-bags are made is woven expressly for the purpose, and furnished by the Bureau of Ordnance as required. The color is white, and the calibre of the gun and the weight of the charge must be stencilled on the bag in figures two and a half (2-1/2) inches long. When procured of necessity elsewhere, the stuff should be chosen of wool, entirely free from any mixture of thread or cotton, and of sufficiently close texture to prevent the finer particles of powder from sifting through. Wildbore, rattinet, merino, and bombazette are named as proper materials for cartridge-bags; of these the thinnest stuff, not twilled, but having the requisite strength and closeness of texture, is the best.

182. MAKING CARTRIDGE-BAGS.—Cartridge-bags for cylindrical chambers are made of a rectangle to form the cylinder, and a circular piece to form the bottom. The flat patterns, by which the cartridge-bags for the 8-inch and 32-pounder guns are cut, are, consequently, to be made rectangular for the cylindrical part of the bag, and circular for the bottom. The length of the rectangle is equal to the development of the cylinder, together with the allowance for seam; and its width, to the whole length of the bag before sewing, including the allowance for seam and tie.

Special patterns are furnished for those of XV-in., XI-in., X-in., IX-in., 8-inch of 6,500 lbs., and 32-pounder of 4,500 lbs. shell-guns, all of which have gomer chambers.

183. DIMENSIONS OF FLAT PATTERNS FOR CUTTING OUT CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

TO BE MADE OF PINE FOR THE 8-INCH AND 32-PDR. GUNS, AND OF METAL PLATES FOR THE "GOMER" CHAMBERS OF OTHER GUNS.[2]

+ -+ -+ 10-INCH, 64-PDR. GUN DIMENSIONS. OR OF 106 CWT. 130-POUNDER. 8-IN. RIFLE. + + -+ + -+ -+ -+ Charges lbs. 30 18 15 16 12 8 Width of rectangle (length of bag cut), including tie and four-tenths of an inch for seam. in. 20 15.2 14 18.7 15.7 12.7 ^ - ^ - Inches. Inches. Length of rectangle (cylinder developed), including eight-tenths of an inch for seam. 29.01 23.80 Radius of circular pattern of bottom, including four-tenths of an inch for seam. 4.9 3.60 Diameters of cylindrical formers for inspection of cartridge-bags. 9.00 7.00 Additional length for one pound of powder. 0.40 0.80 + -+ -+

+ 100-POUNDER RIFLE, 32-POUNDER GUN, DIMENSIONS. AND 8-INCH SHELL-GUNS, HAVING CHAMBERS OF 32-POUNDER CALIBRE. + + + + + + + + + Charges lbs. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4.5 4 3 Width of rectangle (length of bag cut), including tie and four-tenths of an inch for seam. in. 16.6 14.6 18.0 12.6 11.6 10.6 10.1 9.6 8.6 ^ - Inches. Length of rectangle (cylinder developed), including eight-tenths of an inch for seam. 18.10 Radius of circular pattern of bottom, including four-tenths of an inch for seam. 2.95 Diameters of cylindrical formers for inspection of cartridge-bags. 5.50 Additional length for one pound of powder. 1.22 +

184. DETAILS OF CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

SHELL-GUNS WITH CONICAL CHAMBERS.

- - - CALIBRE OF GUN. XV-IN. XI-IN. X-IN. - - - Charge of powder. lbs. 35. 50. 60. 20. 15. 15. 12.5 Diameter of cartridge. large end. 13.5 13.5 13.5 9.85 9.85 9. 9. small end. - - - 5.50 5.50 5. 5. Width of stuff required to cut bag. in. 24. 28. 30. 22. 20. 20. 20. Whole length of bag cut, including tie and seam. 21.5 25.5 27.5 10. 17.5 18.5 17.75 Length of filled cartridge. in. 12. 15.5 18. 12. 10.5 10. 9. Additional length for one pound of powder. in. Quantity of stuff required to cut one hundred bags. yds. 122. 122. 122. 92. 92. 86. 86. - - -

- - - 8-IN. OF 32-PR. OF CALIBRE OF GUN. IX-IN. 6500. 4500. - - - -+ Charge of powder. lbs. 13. 10. 7. 6. Diameter of cartridge. large end. 8.13 8.13 7.25 6. small end. 4.50 4.50 4. 8.5 Width of stuff required to cut bag. in. 18. 18. 24. 22. Whole length of bag cut, including tie and seam. 16.5 15.5 12.0 11.0 Length of filled cartridge. in. 11.5 10.5 7.5 9.5 Additional length for one pound of powder. in. Quantity of stuff required to cut one hundred bags. yds. 78. 78. 30. 30. -+ - - -

In cutting, the length of the rectangle should be taken in the direction of the length of the stuff, as it does not stretch in that direction, and the material should be chosen, as nearly as possible, of the width required for the length of the bags, to save waste in cutting.

The bags are to be sewed with worsted yarn, with not less than eight stitches to an inch; they must be stitched within four-tenths of an inch of each edge, and the two edges of the seam felled down upon the same side, to prevent the powder from sifting through. The edges of the bottom are felled down upon the sides.

The bags, when filled, must be tied with woollen thrums.

185. CARTRIDGE-BAGS FOR SALUTING CHARGES.—Old cartridge-bags which have been condemned for service charges are to be repaired and used for saluting charges; and whenever it is necessary to make bags expressly for the purpose, or for immediate use, they may be formed by sewing together two rectangular pieces with semicircular ends.

186. INSPECTION.—The material especially procured for cartridge-bags is to be carefully inspected to detect any mixture of cotton with the wool, by burning a few bits taken at hazard from each piece; or, by dissolving it in a solution of 1 ounce of caustic potassa in a pint of water—the cloth to be put in when the water is boiling, which is to continue until dissolution takes place. The texture of the stuff is also to be examined and its strength tried, such standard for the latter being established as may be found sufficient to insure perfect efficiency.

After being made up, the empty bags are to be inspected, and those which are sewed with too long stitches, or in any other than the prescribed manner, must be rejected. The dimensions of each bag are to be verified, first by laying it flattened out, between two marks on a table showing the width of a pattern bag. A variation of 0.1 inch greater or less is allowed. The bags are also to be tried on mandrels, or formers, made according to the dimensions given on the preceding page.

187. PRESERVATION FROM MOTHS.—Serge or any other woollen material employed for making cartridge-bags is never to be exposed on the shelves in store, either in the piece or when made up. It is to be protected by packing with the hydraulic press, by sewing it up in linen cloth, or by enveloping it in water-proof paper, hermetically sealed.

An infusion of coloquintida, in the proportion of 15-1/2 grains Troy to a quart of water, is said to be a good preservative against moths. In case of using this preparation, the cartridge-bags should be steeped in the infusion, and, after being thoroughly dried, may be packed by the hydraulic press, and headed up in old whiskey barrels, if stored on shore, or packed in empty tanks, if on board ship.

Cartridge-bags, as well as the material for making them, must be frequently examined, to prevent their being damaged by moisture, as well as to guard against moths.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Primers and percussion-caps should be divided into two or three lots, and stowed in different parts of the ship, so that an accidental explosion would not deprive the ship of the means of firing cannon and small arms.

[2] The dimensions of those for the XV, IX, X, and XI inch guns, which have Corner chambers, and cannot be conveniently tabulated, will be furnished to all vessels mounting such guns. The formers for inspection of bags will have the forms and dimensions of the Gomer chambers less 0.87 inch for the IX-inch, 1.0 inch for the X-inch, 1.15 inch for the XI-inch, and 1.50 inch for XV-inch guns, for windage at the large end, in accordance with the flat patterns furnished for cutting.



CHAPTER II.

MAGAZINES AND SHELL-ROOMS.

CONSTRUCTION, LIGHTING, STOWING, AND FLOODING.

188. No details of internal arrangement should be more carefully considered and executed than those relating to the stowage and delivery of powder, since a defect in these particulars, apparently insignificant, may lead to the instantaneous destruction of the ship; or, with the incendiary and explosive projectiles now used, to her becoming, comparatively, an easy prey to an antagonist. Every possible precaution, therefore, is to be taken to accommodate the full allowance of powder completely; to guard it to the utmost against injury and accidental explosion; and to deliver it at the magazine, as required, with facility and certainty. To these ends, and in view of the fact that all the powder for great guns is now put up in cubical copper tanks, made water-tight, THE FORM OF MAGAZINES should be as nearly rectangular as the shape of the vessel will admit, and they should be built strong enough to resist sufficiently the effect of her working in heavy weather, and also the pressure of water they will have to sustain in case of being flooded.

189. All magazines should have a light-box for each alley at one end, and a passage to deliver powder at the other; and the magazine and its passage, considered as one, must be made perfectly water-tight by caulking the bottom and sides, and then lining them internally, first with white pine boards, tongued and grooved, and again with sheets of lead of extra thickness, soldered together, over these boards. Both these linings are to extend entirely over the bottom or floor, and all the way up to the crown on all the sides.

190. When the magazine reaches the ceiling of the ship it must be battened off two inches; the lining of the floor must be battened up one, and also the magazine-deck, so that water leaking through the sides of the vessel may run by and under, and not into the magazine.

An external lining of sheet-iron must also be resorted to as a protection against fire, and to prevent the intrusion of rats.

191. A magazine aft in a ship is to have its passage for delivering powder adjoining its forward part; and one forward in a ship is to have this passage adjoining its after part, in order that it may not be necessary to pass the powder over the light-box scuttle.

192. As many doors are to be cut in the bulkhead separating this passage from the magazine-room as there are alleys to be left in the latter, between the racks or shelves on which the tanks are stowed, and these doors must correspond with those alleys. They are not only to afford a means of entrance to the magazine, but also for passing the tanks in and out. Through the upper part of each door a small scuttle is to be cut,—two, if necessary,—for the purpose of passing the cartridges out of the magazine-room with the door itself closed; and it is to have a lid so arranged as to open outwards only, and to close of itself when the scuttle is not actually in use.

193. Sailing ships-of-the-line and frigates should have two alleys for each magazine. In screw-vessels of large class, where the shaft will interfere with this arrangement, two alleys for the forward magazine. In smaller vessels one alley will suffice. In all cases the alley is to be not less than two feet and ten inches in breadth, and it ought to be more, if practicable, to prevent confusion and delay. Each alley is to be illuminated by a separate light.

If there is room in the magazine, there should be space left, at the end nearest the light, for a man to pass from one alley to the other without going into the passage.

194. Ships with two magazines—one forward and the other aft—are to have them as nearly equal, in point of capacity, as the shape of the vessel and other circumstances will admit.

Magazines should be constructed as low down as possible. Their floors may rest on the keelson, but should not come below it. Their height should be equal, only, to an exact number of times the height of a powder-tank when lying on its side, in addition to the thickness of the shelving. An additional inch for each shelf should be allowed for play or spring. The whole height in the clear should be limited by the condition that a man standing on the floor may reach the upper tier of tanks with ease. Four tiers of 200-lb. tanks, three of them resting on shelves two inches thick, and the other on inch battens on the magazine-floor, will, with an allowance of one and a half inch for play and spring, require a height, in the clear, of six feet two inches. Both safety and convenience would suggest this as the maximum limit in height, even for the largest magazine. Three tiers of these tanks will require a height, in the clear, of about four feet eight inches.

If, however, in ships of great draught of water, it should be found practicable to extend the height of a magazine so as to accommodate five tiers of tanks, then the lower or ground tier may be laid so as to occupy the whole of the magazine-floor; and on the top of this tier, in the alley-way, a light false bottom is to be placed for the men to stand upon to enable them to reach the upper tier, which is the one that should first be exhausted. This false bottom should be made of gratings, and in sections convenient for speedy removal.

195. When it is impossible to avoid extending the sides of the magazine so far out towards the skin of the ship as to leave only an air-passage on either side, the crown should be at least six feet below the deep load-line.

In all cases where this crown is less than six feet below that line, the sides should be made susceptible of protection by allowing a space to interpose materials, such as sand, coal, or water in tanks, between them and the inner planking of the ship.

An average space of six feet or more on both sides will be sufficient. Under no circumstances, however well the sides be guarded, should the crown of the magazine, if it can be avoided, be less than four feet below the deep load-line.

196. It is proper to add, in connection with this most important subject, that in order to increase security against the effects of lightning, a magazine should be placed, if practicable, so as not to include a part of a mast.

197. All the metallic fixtures about a magazine, delivering-passages, and light-rooms, must be of copper.

198. Each delivering-passage is to have, for the distribution of powder, at least as many passing-scuttles communicating with the orlop or berth deck as there are chains of scuttles above. The powder-man will thus always find at the scuttle the proper passing-box.

MAGAZINE-COCKS.

199. Each magazine, as a whole—that is, including the delivering-passage—being made, as stated above, water-tight, is to be provided with an independent cock for filling it rapidly with water; a waste-pipe leading from above the upper tier of tanks to carry off the superfluous water; and a cock just at the floor for letting the water off when the magazine is to be emptied after having been flooded. Both the cocks must be turned from the deck above, each having a lever to its spindle for the purpose, distinctly marked, with engraved letters, what it is and how it is to be used, and kept secured by a proper lock, the key of which is to be kept among those of the magazines. A short pipe to lead the water down into the hold is to be attached to the emptying cock, and with this the waste-pipe is to connect. All are to be well boxed over for protection against injury. A perforated disk, or strainer, is to be secured inside of the hole, at the upper part of the magazine, for the waste-pipe. All couplings of hose shall conform to the general naval standard.

LIGHTING THE MAGAZINE.

200. The magazine is to be lighted by means of one regulation-lamp, to correspond with each alley of the magazine-room, placed in a box arranged for the purpose. This box, of which a portion of the magazine bulkhead forms a part, is to be lined, internally, with soldered sheets of copper, and have a few inches of water in it whenever the lamp is lighted. The entrance to it is at the top, through a scuttle in the deck large enough to admit the lamp. For single-decked vessels this scuttle may be surrounded by a composition coaming pierced with holes one-fourth of an inch in diameter, on the forward and after sides near the top. The cover must be so arranged that, when placed in one position, all the holes will be closed—by turning it half round, they are all open; thus supplying air to the lamp and carrying off smoke. In the portion of the magazine bulkhead just alluded to, and so as to throw as much light as possible into the magazine-room, an opening with great bevelling is to be cut, which is to be covered by two plane glasses of suitable thickness, somewhat separated from each other, one of which, that next to the lamp, must be permanently fixed; and the other, or that next to the magazine, is to be let into a wooden frame so that it may be easily removed, and thus both glasses cleaned at any time with convenience and safety. The glasses are to be held in place by brass screws, after being closely fitted and having their edges made perfectly tight. A small dome or reversed funnel of copper, where it can be conveniently done, is to be placed above the lamp and fitted with a pipe of the same metal to convey the smoke off. This pipe may pass up through the covering of the light-box, which is to have a plug-hole, lined with brass, for the purpose, and then led farther, if necessary, taking care, however, to consult perfect safety throughout.

The admission of air to the light-box may be from the division of the hold in which it is placed, by small holes, near its top, through its side or back, protected with copper wire-gauze, inside and outside of the box.

The ceiling and bulkheads of all magazines and shell-rooms should be thoroughly whitewashed.

STOWING THE MAGAZINES.

201. In the stowage of magazines, reference must be had to the Gunner's duties (Art. 36, Part I.), and to Arrangements for Delivering and Distributing Powder (Art. 180, Part I.). Ledges on the shelves, or a bar of wood to ship and unship with facility, will be provided for each tier of tanks, on both sides of the alleys, to secure them from getting out of place when the ship rolls.

The Inspector of Ordnance will furnish the commander of the ship with an exact plan of the magazine and shell-rooms, which shall be returned to the Inspector of the Yard at which the ship refits or is placed in ordinary, with any suggestions the Commander may have to make relative to practicable changes which will render the service more safe or convenient.

SHELL-ROOMS.

202. Rooms for the stowage of loaded shells require the same care in construction and protection against an enemy's shot, and in provision for lighting and flooding, as magazines. Therefore, they should always be built with reference to these objects, as well as to affording room enough to accommodate conveniently the number of loaded shells allowed in their boxes, stowed in bulk. Each should have one light, arranged like those for magazines.

203. In vessels partially armed with shell-guns, the best place, perhaps, for these rooms is immediately forward of the spirit-room, but not communicating with it; and in those armed entirely with such guns, the additional shell-rooms necessary may be, perhaps, more conveniently placed abaft, and adjoining the delivering-passage of the forward magazine, than elsewhere.

204. With the introduction of rifled cannon, and various special projectiles, it is essential to devote more care to the stowage of shells, in order to avoid confusion in battle. Not only each kind and calibre, but each length of fuze, is to be stowed in separate tiers.

DAMPNESS OF MAGAZINES AND SHELL-ROOMS.

205. Sponge clipped in a solution of salt water, dried and weighed, is a means of ascertaining if dampness exists in these places. If it become heavier, the room is damp.

VENTILATION.

206. Provision must be made, by means of grating-hatches, for sufficient ventilation in action, to supply the magazine-men with fresh air, and allow the dampness caused by perspiration to pass off; and fan-blowers are to be fitted to increase the supply of fresh air, and assist the ventilation. The magazine should be opened and aired, at least once a fortnight, for a few hours, on bright, clear days.



CHAPTER III.

GUN-CARRIAGES, GEAR, IMPLEMENTS AND EQUIPMENTS.

GUN-CARRIAGES.

207. All gun-carriages shall be constructed in exact conformity to the drawings furnished by the Bureau, and no alterations whatever will be permitted without its express sanction.

The Inspector of Ordnance will keep approved copies of all plans, and, in order to insure uniformity, will report to the Bureau any deviations from the standard drawings which he may observe in carriages received from other Yards.

The spaces required for efficient working of all guns are represented in diagrams X, Y, Z, and these, as well as the distances between pivot-centres, sizes and positions of bolts, are to be strictly adhered to.

The distance between pivot-centres of all XI-in., X-in., IX-in., and 100-pdr. carriages shall be either 142 or 117-3/4 inches, depending on the breadth of beam, position of hatches and other obstructions, and shall not be deviated from except by explicit directions of the Bureau, on a report of the particular circumstances in each case.

For the 60-pdr. Parrott, 130 inches between centres; and for the 30-pdr., 120 inches.

The sizes of sockets and pivot-bolts are established as follows:

FOR XI-IN., X-IN., FOR 60, 30, IX.-IN., AND 100-PDR. AND 20-PDR. Inches. Inches.

Length of bolt under the head 18. 14. Diameter of bolt 4. 3. Do. hole in socket 4.1 3.1 Do. boss 10.5 8. Height of boss 1.5 1.1

Slot in the pivot-plate, 1/16 larger than the boss.

For XI-in., X-in., IX-in., and 100-pdr. carriages, the fighting and shifting sockets are bossed, the housing-socket plain.

For 60-pdr., 30-pdr., and 20-pdr. carriages, the shifting-socket alone is bossed.

For broadside-guns, the following positions for bolts are established:

20 AND 24 IN. 16 AND 18 IN. PORT-SILLS. PORT-SILLS. Inches. Inches.

Height of centre of lower bolt from deck 14.75 10.75 Distance between the bolts 3.75 3.75 Distance of centre of 1st bolt from side of port 14. 14. Distance of centre of 2d bolt from side of port 22. 22. Distance of centre of training-bolt from side of port 36. 36. Height of training-bolt from deck 21. 14. & 16. Height of securing-bolt (side-tackle bolt) above port-sill 8. 8.

For IX-in. guns, the port-sill should not be less than 20 inches in height, and no port-sill less than 16 inches; otherwise, the carriages will not give sufficient elevation, and the position of the Gun Captain in aiming is exceedingly awkward and inconvenient.

Scraping and staining gun-carriages or keeping them bright is prohibited; they should be kept well painted, and the trucks, axletrees, and trunnion-holes oiled.

All new work shall be primed with red-lead.

Wrought-iron Broadside carriages, for IX-inch, new 8-in. of 6,500 lbs., and 32-pdr. of 4,500 lbs. shell-guns, have been designed by the Ordnance Bureau, submitted to trial with success, and are being issued for service at sea.

GUN-GEAR.

208. Breechings for all guns are to be made of the best hemp, of three-stranded rope, shroud-laid, and soft; and for smooth-bore guns not to measure less than seven and a half nor more than eight inches in the coil, excepting those for IX-inch guns, which are to measure nine and a half inches, and for XI-inch ten and a half inches.

209. The breeching-bolts must never be of less dimensions than those prescribed by regulation, and there must be double sets for the IX and XI inch guns.

210. In fitting breechings, a thimble is to be spliced into one end, the strands stuck through twice, and marled down. A thimble is to be turned into the other end, so that the length of the breeching may be conveniently altered. Thus fitted, when the gun is run in and levelled, breechings must be long enough to allow the muzzle of the gun to come a foot inside of the upper port-sill, if the breadth of the vessel will allow it. With guns of violent recoil this distance may be advantageously doubled, where there is room enough, as thereby the strain will be much lessened.

Breechings are neither to be covered, blackened, nor rendered less pliable in any way.



BREECHINGS.

KEY: A: LENGTH OF BREECHING WHEN CUT. B: LENGTH OF BREECHING WHEN FINISHED. C: CIRCUMFERENCE OF BREECHING. D: Diameter. E: Depth. F: Radius of Score. G: Diam. bolt-hole. H: WEIGHT, INCLUDING THIMBLE.

- - - - THIMBLE. CLASS - OF GUN. A B C D E F G H - - - - - - - + Feet. Feet. Inch. Inch. Inch. Inch. Inch. Lbs. Pivot. XI-inch 38. 32. 10.5 6. 4. 1.75 2.05 172. X-inch 37.5 31.5 10. 6. 6. 1.75 2.05 170. IX-inch 34. 28.5 9.5 6. 3.6 1.6 2.05 110. 100-pounder 37.5 31.5 9.5 6. 3.6 1.6 2.05 130. 60-pounder 33. 28. 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 91. 30-pounder 27.5 23.5 7. 5. - 1.2 1.55 43. 20-pounder 26. 21. 6. 4. - 1.0 1.55 40. Broadside. XI-inch 38.0 32.0 10.5 6. 4. 1.75 2.05 172. X-inch 34.5 28.5 10. 6. 4. 1.75 2.05 160. IX-inch 31.5 25.5 9.5 6. 3.6 1.6 2.05 100. 8-in. 63 cwt. 28. 23.3 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 76. 8-in. { 55 cwt.} 27. 22.3 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 72. {6,500 lbs.} 32-pounder 57 cwt. 28.5 24. 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 76. 32-pounder { 42 cwt.} 26. 21.5 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 70. {4,500 lbs.} 32-pounder 33 cwt. 23.5 19. 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 65. 32-pounder 27 cwt. 22. 17.5 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 61. Broadside Rifle. 100-pounder 35.5 31. 9.5 6. 3.6 1.6 2.05 115. 60-pounder 28. 23.5 8. 5.5 - 1.3 1.55 80. 30-pounder 25.5 21.5 7. 5. - 1.2 1.55 39. 20-pounder 23. 17.5 6. 4. - 1. 1.55 34. + - - - - - - -

211. Gun-tackle falls will be made of Manilla or such other pliable rope as may be directed from time to time by the Bureau of Ordnance. It is prohibited to blacken them or to diminish their pliability. Three-inch rope will be found large enough for the heaviest, and from 2-1/2 to 2-1/4 inch for the lighter guns.

The rope being well stretched, the falls are to be cut of sufficient length to allow the full recoil, leaving end enough to hitch round the straps of their inner blocks, when hooked to the middle bolts.

212. Blocks for gun-tackles should have pins of hardened copper, turned smooth, and sheaves of lignum-vitae without bouching. Those to reeve 3-inch falls to be 10 inches, those for 2-1/2 inch falls 9 inches, and those for 2-1/4 inch falls 8 inches long. The hooks of gun-tackle blocks are not to be less than one and a half inch diameter at the bend for heavy, and one and a quarter for light, broadside-guns.

Metallic blocks with nibs, which keep the blocks fair with the falls, and thus prevent the falls from fouling in the recoil, are to be supplied to all Marsilly and heavy pivot carriages.

GRIOLET.

213. The GRIOLET-PURCHASE for dismounting guns on covered decks is composed of—

A toggle-block, made of elm or oak, the outer end or head of which is made rather larger in diameter than the inner one, which exactly fits the bore of the gun. The head has two sheaves in it, so as to form the lower block of the muzzle-purchase, and is bound at the outer end with an iron band.

A double cascabel-block of iron is made either with a shackle or to fit between the jaws of the cascabel, where it is secured by the cascabel-pin. The iron pins on which the sheaves revolve are formed with eyes, for the convenience of hitching the standing part of the purchase.

Two iron treble-blocks, one for the muzzle and the other for the breech-purchase.

The muzzle-purchase block is so fitted as to be either shackled or toggled to the housing-bolt above the port, and the breech-purchase block has an iron strap terminating above, with an eye by which it is shackled to a bolt passing through the deck above the gun. This bolt has an eye in one end, and a screw or key-slit at the other, and, when in place, is secured above the deck with a nut or key, between which and the deck a washer of hard wood or iron of suitable breadth and thickness is placed.

The hole through which this bolt is put should be directly above the cascabel-block when the muzzle of the gun is under the housing-bolt, and may be bored at the time the gun is to be dismounted; it is to be stopped afterwards with a plug of wood coated with white-lead.

But as it is desirable that every division on the gun-deck should be exercised in mounting and dismounting its guns, a hole may be made in the deck above each division and bouched with a composition screw-tap.

The purchase-falls should not be less than three and a half inches in size, and should be made of Manilla rope, of sufficient length to reeve full, the gun being supposed to be on deck and the upper blocks in place, allowing also sufficient end for splicing in the thimbles and hitching the standing part of the purchase when rove.

An iron thimble, large enough to hook the double-block of a side or train tackle, is spliced into the end of each purchase-fall.

SELVAGEE WADS.

214. Selvagee wads are made by the wad-machine at the Navy Yards. This consists of pairs of disks adapted to each calibre of guns, which being placed face to face on a spindle and keyed, present an annular score, grooved in such a way as to make, when filled, a grommet of the requisite size. Transverse notches are cut in the circumference of the disks to the bottom of the score, for the convenience of marling the wad before taking it off the mould.



In making the wad, the end of a rope-yarn is fixed in the score, and the mould is turned by a crank until the score is filled. The grommet thus formed is marled like a selvagee strap, and a section of about an inch is taken out of it, in order to make the wad, when swelled by dampness, enter the bore of the gun readily.

Selvagee wads should be made neither too hard nor too soft; and to avoid either of these extremes, a sufficient number of hitches only will be taken to give the wad the consistency required for service.

Sections of one-third or one-fourth of these wads will answer as well, in case of need.

MAGAZINE-SCREENS.

215. Are made of thick fearnaught, or of double baize, with holes through which to pass the powder; these holes to be covered by broad flaps of the same material. One screen is to be hung abaft, and another forward of the magazine passing-hatch and scuttles in sloops-of-war; in ships-of-the-line and frigates, one is usually to be hung abaft the fore, and one forward of the after, magazine-scuttle; but as ships are differently arranged, two to each magazine will be allowed, if required.

Canvas chutes for returning empty passing-boxes are to be supplied to each scuttle.

MAGAZINE-DRESSES.

216. Are to be of worsted, like a simple shirt, to reach to the knees—no metal buttons to be worn.

The shoes must be made wholly of cotton canvas or buckskin. In hot climates or warm weather generally, the naked feet are preferred. India-rubber and woollen slippers are prohibited.

RATTLES FOR CALLING BOARDERS.

217. To be made like those used by watchmen, of white oak, or some other similar wood. Rattle, 12 inches long; ratchet, 2 inches in diameter; spring, one inch in width, and of sufficient thickness and elasticity to produce the requisite sound. Weight enough should be given to the butt to cause it to revolve round the handle with ease.

Fixed rattles of greater power will be attached to suitable places on each deck.

SHELL-WHIPS.

218. To be made of two-inch rope, rove through two single blocks one above the other, in the shell-hatchway, and the ends knotted together. A hook is fixed on each part of the whip, near the block, so that the parts being bowsed on alternately, a full box is brought up on one hook and an empty one lowered by the other, at the same time.

FLASH-PANS.

219. Shallow copper bowls, large enough to hold an ounce of powder, with a handle two feet long, to be supplied to all vessels.

DARK LANTERNS.

220. To be made of copper, tinned inside, with two handles at the side, that the shade may be turned without taking hold of the top. The whole height, 12 inches; diameter, 4 inches.

BOAT GRAPNELS.

221. Are made of round iron, quite light, for throwing into the rigging or chains of the enemy, for the purpose of holding on when boarding; their prongs are barbed.

Six feet of small chain are to be attached to the ring, and connected with six fathoms of one and three quarter rope.

TARGETS.

222. In the construction of targets for practice at sea, the chief object will be to give buoyancy and stability to the screen, with sufficient development of its surface. To these ends, whiskey or beef barrels, supporting boards of sufficient length, will afford staging for the masts, yards, and screen; the heel of the mast passing through the stage, and having ballast attached to it. The stage should be so fitted as to be readily put together when wanted, and taken apart for stowage.

Harbor targets may be anchored, or supported on stakes; but it would conduce to good practice to stretch a screen of sufficient length to show, distinctly, four or six ports, with the proper intervals between. This will the better exhibit the lateral effect of the firing of each gun, and of the concentration of fire from several guns at known distances.

PACKING-BOXES.

223. Cartridges for small arms, primers, spur-tubes, percussion-caps, spare fuzes, false-fires, blue-lights, port-fires, and signal-rockets, will generally be supplied to vessels in boxes, in which they can be kept with little liability to injury, until wanted for use. (See Part I., Page 10, Art. 42.)

These boxes are to be safely kept and returned into store, or accounted for in the same manner as other articles of Ordnance stores, by those persons in whose charge they may be placed. They will be held pecuniarily responsible for their loss.

GUN-SLINGS

224. Must be made of chain of 3/4-inch iron, and tested, to secure proper strength; the rings are to be of 1-1/4-inch iron. The length of the slings should exceed by one foot that of the longest gun on board. The two parts should be parcelled and marled together for a space of two feet before and one foot behind the trunnions of the longest gun, and a piece of three-inch rope spliced around both parts in the wake of the parcelling, long enough to take four or five turns round the chase of the largest gun.

TRUNNION-SIGHT FOR MORTARS AND PIVOT-GUNS.

225. The trunnion-sight is designed to be used only when the required elevation passes the limits of the other sights. It is formed of a bar of mahogany, or other hard wood not liable to warp, of about forty inches in length, two inches wide, and one inch thick, with a brass notch at the rear end and a point at the other, fixed in, and parallel to, the upper edge. It is attached, by a stout thumb-screw, to the axis of the left trunnion, around which it revolves when the screw is slack.

A semicircular plate, graduated to degrees, is attached to the bar, so that the sight may be used with the tables showing the corresponding ranges of the several classes of guns with their distant firing-charge. (See TABLES OF RANGES, Appendix D.)

The upper edge of the sight-bar corresponds with 0 deg. when the line of sight is parallel to the axis of the bore. A small level let into the upper surface of the rear end of the bar shows when the bar is level.

In using this sight, the thumb-screw is first loosened, and the rear end of the sight raised until the mark on the trunnion coincides with the degree of elevation required for the range, as given in the Tables: clamp the thumb-screw, and elevate the gun until the bubble is at 0 deg., then give the lateral training.

226. Tangent-sights placed on the side of the breech, with a fixed front sight on the rimbase, as in rifled cannon, will hereafter be supplied to all pivot-guns; and these will give the sight with equal accuracy at all elevations.

RAMMERS AND SPONGES.

227. Rammer-heads are to be made of well-seasoned ash, birch, beech, or other tough wood, of the form and dimensions given in the drawings furnished by the Bureau to the different Navy Yards. The face of the rammer is hollowed, so as to embrace the front of the ball and press the selvagee wad home in its place. A hole is bored lengthwise through the head to admit the tenon, which is fastened by a pin of hard wood, three-tenths of an inch in diameter, passing transversely through the head and tenon. The diameter of the staff is 1.75, and that of the tenon 1.5 inch. The diameter of the rammer-head will be 0.25 inch less than that of the bore or chamber to which it is adapted.

For all chambered guns except those of the Dahlgren pattern, the rammers will be adapted to the chamber, but, as above described, will answer equally well for the shot and selvagee wad.

Staves are made of tough ash, and are one foot longer than the bores of the guns for which they are intended: they are to have grooves 1/16 of an inch deep and 1/4 of an inch broad cut in them to show when the "ordinary charges" are in place, and, by due allowances, the others also.

For rifled cannon, rammer-heads are made of composition, of the pattern prescribed by the Bureau.

228. Sponge-heads are to be made of poplar, or other suitable light wood. A hole 1.5 inch in diameter is bored through the axis to admit the tenon of the staff, into which the worm is previously secured by means of a brass pin which passes through an eye in its shank and the tenon. The worm is intended to project half an inch beyond the face of the sponge-head, when the tenon is in place, and to have free play back into its socket when pressed against the bottom of the bore. It must be two inches in length and one and a quarter inch in diameter, made of elastic brass or composition wire two-tenths of an inch in diameter, and tapering at the points, so as to preserve its elasticity and firmness. It is to be left-handed, in order to act when turned to the right, or with the sun.

The wood of which sponge-heads are made should be well seasoned, and gotten out of a size but little greater than the diameter of the heads for which it is intended, so that there may be as little shrinkage as possible in the finished heads.

The heads, when finished, should also be primed with several coats of boiled linseed oil or varnish, as the porous wood of which they are made is apt to become water-soaked, or to split on exposure to the air.

229. For chambered guns the sponges must fit the chambers and slopes, and a portion of the main bore, as shown in the drawings furnished by the Bureau. When made of wool, the whole surface is covered, and so sheared as to have no windage, and to be even with the points of the worm, that they make take effect. The heads for woollen sponges should be one inch less in diameter than the bores or chambers of the guns for which they are intended.

In future, sheepskins will not be allowed, but covers for sponge-heads made up ready to slip over the head and be tacked on.

230. The heads for the sponges of unchambered guns are to be eight inches long; and all sponge-heads intended to be covered with woollen material must be slightly tapered and secured by a thin copper hoop, fastened with copper tacks, on the inner end.

231. For Bristle Sponges the heads must be 1.5 inch less in diameter than the bores or chambers for which they are designed. The bristles are to be sheared so as to work easily and leave no windage. The worm must project one-fourth of an inch, in order to take the bottom of the bore, and special care is to be taken by the Inspector that it has both the necessary stiffness to act efficiently and elastically enough, when pressed home, to yield sufficiently to allow the bristles to act also. Spiral spaces extending the whole length of the sponge-head, including the portion adapted to the main bore in chambered guns, are to be left, in order to bring out the unconsumed portions of cartridges. These spaces must be left-handed like the worm.

Great care is necessary, in stowing them, to prevent the bristles from being crushed down by contact with hard substances. For this purpose fenders will be provided with copper tacks, on the inner end.

One will be allowed to each division, for each calibre, for cleaning guns.

232. Sponge-staves are to be made of tough ash, 1.75 inch in diameter, and must be 18 inches longer than the bores of the guns for which they are intended.

233. Sponge-caps are made of duck, and, except for spar-deck guns where they are exposed to the weather, should not be painted, but they, as well as the staves, should be kept clean by scrubbing. A becket should be attached to the end to haul them off by.

Sponges should be washed carefully and dried after use before putting the caps on, and frequently examined and dried to prevent their rotting.

ROBINSON'S WORM.

234. This worm consists of a screw, 1-1/4 inch in diameter, of two turns, at the end of a cylindrical iron shank, with a socket and straps riveted to the staff, which is 1.5 inch in diameter. The worm is supported in the axis of the bore by means of a guide-ring of composition, kept in place on the shank, six inches from the end, by a shoulder and forelock.

Thus adjusted, it is used to draw the junk-wad and cartridge; the latter being laid hold of by the tie, if the staff be held in the axis of the bore, is uninjured.

When the ring is removed the worm will be equally efficient in drawing the selvagee wad.

LADLES.

235. Ladles, when required, are to be made according to the patterns sent to each of the Navy Yards. Ladles which may be on hand are to be tried in drawing projectiles from the guns before they are issued for service. The Ladle will not draw rifle projectiles, and should not be used for that purpose.

SCRAPERS FOR BOTTOM OF BORE.

236. These consist of two steel blades, crossing each other in the middle, and having their edges conformed to the curve of the bottom of the bore. They are inserted in a sponge-bead, and are designed to remove the cake usually caused by the adherence of the bottoms of the cylinders to the bottom of the bore.

The edges of the scrapers are so bevelled as to act only when turned to the right, or with the sun.

Scrapers are also to be supplied for rifled cannon, made to clean a groove and the adjacent lands.

ORDINARY HANDSPIKES.

237. Handspikes are to be made of well-seasoned white hickory, of the form and dimensions directed by the Bureau. They are always to be shod, stained black, and oiled. The Ordnance Officer of the Navy Yard will ascertain that they ship freely in the training-loops or sockets, and that the toe is sufficiently rounded not to cut the decks when held vertically.

DETAILS OF HANDSPIKES. No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. { Total in. 64. 60. { Square part in. 20. 20. Length { Octagon part in. 6. 6. { Round part in. 38. 34. { Shoe in. 18. 18. Diameter { of square in. 2.75 2.50 { of small end in. 1.75 1.6 Radius of quarter round in. 4.5 3.5 Weight lbs. 16. 12.

ROLLER HANDSPIKES.

238. There are two sizes of roller handspikes: No. 1 for the IX-in. shell-gun and 100-pdr. Marsilly, or two-truck carriage; No. 2 for all other guns.

They are composed of—the head and socket of bronze, handle of hickory, and the roller of lignum-vitae.

The boss on the head makes, with the handle, an angle of 70 deg., and, when vertical, lifts the carriage half an inch (0.5).

Commander Beaumont's roller handspike has been adopted.

It is a common error of seamen to stoop, with a view of raising the carriage higher. The lift is greatest when the end of the handle is at the hip.

DETAILS OF ROLLER HANDSPIKES. No. 1. No. 2. - { Extreme in. 70.5 66. { of handle in. 63.0 62.5 Length { of socket in. 12. 7.5 { of boss in. 1.6 1.3 { of boss from centre of roller in. 4.5 3.6 { of axle-pin in. 9.5 7.5 { of roller in. 4.5 3.4 { of socket in. 2.9 2.5 Diameter { of hole in socket in. 2.6 2.25 { Small end of handle in. 1.5 1.50 { of hole for axle-pin in. .75 .62 Width { of roller in. 3.60 3.00 { Exterior of head in. 9.00 7.00 Weight lbs. 32. 19.5 -

IMPRESSION-TAKERS.

239. All vessels carrying XI and IX inch guns, and all iron rifles, are to be furnished with an impression-taker and wax. Impressions of the vent and bore, as described in Art. 57, are to be taken after every ten shotted rounds in practice, and at the close of an action. The last one should be preserved for comparison with the succeeding one; and when, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, the wear becomes excessive, or a decided crack shows itself, a duplicate must be forwarded to the Bureau for examination. In forwarding them, they should be tacked on a piece of thin board secured in the bottom of a box. If wrapped in cotton or oakum they are generally defaced. The date, number of fires, Register Nos. of guns, ship from which forwarded, and other remarks written and pasted on the under side of the box-cover.

In expert hands any small spar—such as a boat's mast—will take the impression equally well.

PASSING-BOXES.

240. Passing-boxes are to be made of strong and well-tanned harness or sole leather, strongly sewed, or of such other material as may be directed.

For 8-inch and 32-pounder guns they are to be of sufficient height to contain two near-firing charges.

Their diameters, in the clear, must be half an inch greater than those of the cartridges they are to contain.

Their tops must be distinctly lettered, in letters one inch and a half long, with the calibre and class of gun they are intended to serve, and made to slide on the beckets.

241. All passing-boxes are to be painted black, with the calibre and charge painted in white letters two and one-half (2-1/2) inches long on the side, and one and one-half (1-1/2) on the top.

242. 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 cases the lower half shall be painted red.

FIRE-TUBS.

243. Fire-tubs should be made of oak, of the patterns furnished by the Bureau, the hoops being of iron. The top is to be provided with a stout hoop of wood, to ship and unship, with a grating across it of stout copper wire, the meshes of which must be small enough to prevent the passing-boxes from falling into the water when struck over the tub.

FIRE-BUCKETS.

244. Fire-buckets should be made of light well-tanned sole leather, according to pattern.

A few Rubber buckets have been issued for trial and report.

THE GROMMET MUZZLE-LASHING FOR HOUSING GUNS.

245. Consists of a grommet made of rope double the size of the gun-tackle falls, with two cringles worked into it for the frapping lashing, which will be of stuff half the size of the tackle-falls.

The grommet will be made large enough just to slip over the swell of the muzzle when the bight is over the housing hook-bolt, and the gun is in position for housing. It will be wormed throughout, and parcelled in the wake of the housing-bolt and frapping lashing, and where there is no swell, in the wake of the muzzle-ring.

Where the housing-bolt is an eye-bolt, the grommet is secured to it by means of a toggle which has a lanyard.

FUZE-WRENCHES.

246. For the Navy time-fuze these are made of steel, with a round shank, four inches long, four-tenths of an inch diameter. Prongs round, one and a half inch long, three-tenths of an inch diameter. Cross-handle of wood, with small forked screw-driver in one end for water-cap. The prongs of the wrench are flattened at the ends, and are nine-tenths of an inch apart.