INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXERCISE, AND SERVICE OF GREAT GUNS, AND SHELLS ON BOARD HER MAJESTY’S SHIPS.
Positions.(VidePlate.)Before loading.Loading.Training.
Gun Numbers.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Auxiliaries.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, &c.
Handspike-men.9, 10.
Rear-men.12, The right rear-man. 13, The left rear-man, or the two highest numbers.
Words of command.
“Prime.”—“Point.”—“Elevate.”—“Ready.”—“Fire.”—“Stop the vent.”—“Sponge.”—“Load.”—“Run out.”
Number of Men allowed to the following Broadside guns.
Gun crew positionsPOSITIONS.J. W. Lowry, sc.Before Loading.Loading.Training.Stationary PowdermanStationary PowdermanStationary PowdermanExtra Powderman
POSITIONS.J. W. Lowry, sc.Before Loading.Loading.Training.Stationary PowdermanStationary PowdermanStationary PowdermanExtra Powderman
J. W. Lowry, sc.
Before Loading.Loading.Training.
Stationary PowdermanStationary PowdermanStationary Powderman
Extra Powderman
Exercise with 13 Men,to a Lower deck gun.
No.1. The Captain;—commands, attends the breeching, bed, and quoin, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.2. The second Captain;—assists No. 1, casts loose, hauls up the port, runs out, attends the apron, and port tackle-fall, and cocks the lock.3. Takes out the tompeon, bears out the port, loads, rams home, runs out, and trains.4. Takes out the tompeon, bears out the port, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, and trains.5. Casts loose, hauls up the port, gives shot and wad to No. 3, runs out, trains, and spans the breeching.7, and 8. Cast loose, run out, and train.9, and 10. Cast loose, run out, and attend handspikes.11. Casts loose, runs out, and trains.12. Casts loose, and attends train tackle.13. Casts loose, runs out, trains, and fires with a hammer, or match.
No.
1. The Captain;—commands, attends the breeching, bed, and quoin, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.
2. The second Captain;—assists No. 1, casts loose, hauls up the port, runs out, attends the apron, and port tackle-fall, and cocks the lock.
3. Takes out the tompeon, bears out the port, loads, rams home, runs out, and trains.
4. Takes out the tompeon, bears out the port, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, and trains.
5. Casts loose, hauls up the port, gives shot and wad to No. 3, runs out, trains, and spans the breeching.
7, and 8. Cast loose, run out, and train.
9, and 10. Cast loose, run out, and attend handspikes.
11. Casts loose, runs out, and trains.
12. Casts loose, and attends train tackle.
13. Casts loose, runs out, trains, and fires with a hammer, or match.
Note.—The duties of No. 2 for upper, or main deck guns will be the same as that for lower deck guns, omitting the words “haul up the port,” and “attends port tackle-fall.” The duties likewise of Nos. 3, and 4 will be the same, substituting the words “takes off the upper half-port,” “lets down the lower one,” or “takes out the port” (as the case may be) for “bears out the port.” The duties also of Nos. 5, and 6 will be the same, omitting the words “hauls up the port.”
With light guns it may be advantageous, in some cases, to double man the handspikes.
The left rear-man will always fire with a hammer, or match; and the right rear-man will attend the train tackle, except when he is handspikeman (when No. 2 will attend it), and in lower deck exercise (when the left rear-man will attend it).
At the word “Man both sides,” each watch will repair to its respective side, the odd numbers standing to the left of the left guns; even numbers to the right of the right guns.
“Man both sides.”
Left guns.—No. 3 remains 3; 5 becomes 4; 7—6; 9—5; 11—2; 13—7; 1 remains 1.Right guns.—No. 4 remains 4; 6 becomes 3; 8—6; 10—5; 12—2; 2—1.
Left guns.—No. 3 remains 3; 5 becomes 4; 7—6; 9—5; 11—2; 13—7; 1 remains 1.
Right guns.—No. 4 remains 4; 6 becomes 3; 8—6; 10—5; 12—2; 2—1.
Note.—The left guns are odd starboard, and even port. The right guns are even starboard, and odd port. The odd numbered guns’ crews are taken from the starboard watch; the even numbered from the port watch.
Guns’ crews always man, and powder boys always supply adjacent guns, when clearing for action, or when fighting both sides.
Note.—With a crew of 11 men, and upwards, and both sides manned, No. 2 isalwaysto attend the train tackle.
When casualties occur at the guns, those holding the highest numbers, or thoselastplaced, will be the first to move to fill up the vacancies, excepting that where both captains are removed, the officer will name the most fitting person to become No. 1, filling up the vacancy as above. For instance; if there should be 13 men at the gun, and Nos. 3, 6, and 9, are ordered to “fall out,” Nos. 5, and 7, move up, becoming Nos. 3, and 5; No. 11, moves up, and becomes No. 7; No. 13,—No. 9; No. 8 moves up, and becomes No. 6; No. 10,—No. 8; and No. 12,—No. 10.[32]
Exercise with 7 Men,to a 32-pounder carronade.
No.1. The Captain; commands, attends the breeching, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.2. The second Captain; assists No. 1, casts loose, runs out, attends the apron, and elevating screw, cocks the lock, and attends train-tackle.3. Takes out the tompeon, takes off the upper half-port, lets down the lower one, loads, rams home, runs out, and trains.4. Takes out the tompeon, takes off the upper half-port, lets down the lower one, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, trains, and attends compressor, when the gun is out.5. Casts loose, gives shot, and wad to No. 3, runs out, trains, and spans the breeching.6. Casts loose, gives sponge, rammer, and worm to No. 4, runs out, trains, spans the breeching, and attends compressor, when the gun is in.7. Casts loose, runs out, trains, and fires with a hammer, or match.
No.
1. The Captain; commands, attends the breeching, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.
2. The second Captain; assists No. 1, casts loose, runs out, attends the apron, and elevating screw, cocks the lock, and attends train-tackle.
3. Takes out the tompeon, takes off the upper half-port, lets down the lower one, loads, rams home, runs out, and trains.
4. Takes out the tompeon, takes off the upper half-port, lets down the lower one, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, trains, and attends compressor, when the gun is out.
5. Casts loose, gives shot, and wad to No. 3, runs out, trains, and spans the breeching.
6. Casts loose, gives sponge, rammer, and worm to No. 4, runs out, trains, spans the breeching, and attends compressor, when the gun is in.
7. Casts loose, runs out, trains, and fires with a hammer, or match.
Note.—Handspikes are used with all guns, and sometimes with carronades.
The duties with 9 men at the 32 cwt., and 8 men at the 25 cwt. guns are the same as with the 32-pounder carronade, except that No. 8 attends the compressor, instead of No. 6.
Arrangement for Fighting both sides.
When ordered to quarters, each watch will take its respective side; when the crew will assume the Nos. to which the several duties, prescribed for working the guns, are assigned.
In the event of being attacked on both sides, at the same time, the following distribution is to be made, where 6 men, and upwards, besides the powderman, can be allowed to each gun, and its opposite, viz.:—
Fighting both sides.
The guns are to be worked in pairs, commencing from forward; Nos. 1, and 2 guns on each side will be pairs, and so on, up to the highest even numbered gun on the deck; but the aftermost (if it should be an odd numbered gun) must be worked by its own crew passing from side to side, as necessary. When exercising, until the crews are perfect, and steady, the orders should be given by the officer, who is in charge of the quarters, and the left guns should be fired first. But when the men are perfect, the guns, which are first ready, should be first fired, and the exercise should be conducted by the captains of the guns, having reference to the movements of the other gun of their pairs, in order to approximate the exercise, as nearly as possible, to action with an enemy. All shot practice at targets, with both sides manned, is to be conducted on this plan.
Words of command forFighting both sides.
“Man both sides.”—“Prime.”—“Point.”—“Muzzle to the right.”—“Muzzle to the left.”—“Elevate.”—“Ready.”—(Left guns.)—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Right guns.)—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Left guns.)—“Run out.”—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Right guns.)—“Run out.”—“Fire.”—“Cease firing.”
When ordered to “cease firing,” the guns are to be loaded, and run out.[33]
Exercise for the 10-inch, or other revolving Gun,with a crew of 17 men.
The crew are assembled as in the established Gun exercise; then—
Gun.—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.Auxiliaries.—Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.Traversing tackle-men.—Nos. 7, 8.Handspike-men.—Nos. 9, 10. Assistant handspike-men.—Nos. 11, 12.Compressor men, Nos. 13, 14.Rear-men.—No. 16, the right rear-man. No. 17, the left rear-man.
Gun.—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Auxiliaries.—Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
Traversing tackle-men.—Nos. 7, 8.
Handspike-men.—Nos. 9, 10. Assistant handspike-men.—Nos. 11, 12.
Compressor men, Nos. 13, 14.
Rear-men.—No. 16, the right rear-man. No. 17, the left rear-man.
Words of command.
“Traverse.”[34]—“Prime.”—“Point.”—“Elevate.”—“Ready.”—“Fire.”— “Stop the vent.”—“Sponge.”—“Load.”—“Run out.”
Exercise with 17 men.
No.1. The Captain; commands, attends the breeching, bed, and quoin, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.2. Second Captain; assists No. 1, casts loose, runs out, attends the apron, cocks the lock, and attends rear bolt.3. Takes out the tompeon, loads, rams home, runs out, attends fighting bolt, shackles, and unshackles breeching, if necessary.4. Takes out the tompeon, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, attends stop-handspike, shackles, and unshackles breeching, if necessary.5. Casts loose, runs out, traverses, and spans the breeching.6. Casts loose, gives sponge, rammer, and worm to No. 4, runs out, traverses, and spans the breeching.7, and 8. Cast loose, run out, attend traversing tackles, and shift side tackles.9, 10, 11, and 12. Cast loose, run out, and attend handspikes.13, and 14. Cast loose, run out, traverse, and attend compressors.15. Casts loose, runs out, and traverses.16. Casts loose, traverses, shifts traversing-tackle, brings up shot, or shell, attends stop-handspike, and train-tackle.17. Casts loose, traverses, shifts traversing-tackle, brings up shot, or shell, fires with a hammer, or match, and attends train tackle.
No.
1. The Captain; commands, attends the breeching, bed, and quoin, primes, points, fires, and stops the vent.
2. Second Captain; assists No. 1, casts loose, runs out, attends the apron, cocks the lock, and attends rear bolt.
3. Takes out the tompeon, loads, rams home, runs out, attends fighting bolt, shackles, and unshackles breeching, if necessary.
4. Takes out the tompeon, worms, sponges, rams home, runs out, attends stop-handspike, shackles, and unshackles breeching, if necessary.
5. Casts loose, runs out, traverses, and spans the breeching.
6. Casts loose, gives sponge, rammer, and worm to No. 4, runs out, traverses, and spans the breeching.
7, and 8. Cast loose, run out, attend traversing tackles, and shift side tackles.
9, 10, 11, and 12. Cast loose, run out, and attend handspikes.
13, and 14. Cast loose, run out, traverse, and attend compressors.
15. Casts loose, runs out, and traverses.
16. Casts loose, traverses, shifts traversing-tackle, brings up shot, or shell, attends stop-handspike, and train-tackle.
17. Casts loose, traverses, shifts traversing-tackle, brings up shot, or shell, fires with a hammer, or match, and attends train tackle.
N.B. These numbers will be reduced for lighter guns, as may be necessary, when Nos. 11, and 12, will attend compressors, and therear-men will do the duties of No. 16, and 17. When slide-guns are fitted with Ferguson’s Compressor, No. 6 is to attend to it.
On coming to the gun, one, or other of these orders will follow; viz.,—“Action on the rear bolt,” or “Action on the fighting bolt required.”
No. 2, attends the rear, No. 3, the fighting bolt, No. 1 gives the word “Right, or left traverse;” and when bearing on the object, or when on the fighting bolt required “Well:” the gun is then to be wormed, sponged, loaded, and run out, without further orders.
MORTAR EXERCISE.
Words of command.
“Point.”—“Run the mortar up.”—“Cross lift the mortar to the right.”—“Cross lift the mortar to the left.”—“Muzzle to the right.”—“Muzzle to the left.”—“Down.”—“Load.”—“Prime.”—“Fire.”
13-inch Land service Mortar.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, points, and serves the vent.2. Serves ammunition.3. Loads, assists to put in the shell, runs up, and trains.4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuse, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.5. Assists to bring up shell, runs up, trains, and fires.6. Brings up shell, guides it into the mortar, runs up, trains, and primes.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, points, and serves the vent.
2. Serves ammunition.
3. Loads, assists to put in the shell, runs up, and trains.
4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuse, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.
5. Assists to bring up shell, runs up, trains, and fires.
6. Brings up shell, guides it into the mortar, runs up, trains, and primes.
10-inch Land service Mortar.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, points, and serves the vent.3. Serves ammunition, loads, assists to put in shell, runs up, and trains.4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.5. Assists to bring up shell, runs up, trains, and fires.6. Brings up shell, runs up, trains, and primes.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, points, and serves the vent.
3. Serves ammunition, loads, assists to put in shell, runs up, and trains.
4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.
5. Assists to bring up shell, runs up, trains, and fires.
6. Brings up shell, runs up, trains, and primes.
8-inch Land service Mortar.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, primes, points, and serves the vent.3. Serves ammunition, loads, runs up, and trains.4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.6. Brings up shell, and fires.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands, primes, points, and serves the vent.
3. Serves ammunition, loads, runs up, and trains.
4. Sponges, wipes the bottom of the shell, uncaps the fuze, puts in shell, runs up, trains, and attends sheepskin.
6. Brings up shell, and fires.
To dismount a 13-inch Land service Mortar, with any number of men, not less than 14.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands.2. Assists No. 1, and lashes handspikes.3, and 4. Unlash the quoin, and place handspikes in the mortar.5, and 6. Bring up a drag-rope each, and place the loop ends over the handspikes.
Duties.—No. 1. Commands.
2. Assists No. 1, and lashes handspikes.
3, and 4. Unlash the quoin, and place handspikes in the mortar.
5, and 6. Bring up a drag-rope each, and place the loop ends over the handspikes.
All the Nos. man the dragropes, except Nos. 3, and 4, who attend with their handspikes, and raise the mortar perpendicular; then Nos. 3, and 4 steady the mortar, place the dragropes round the body of the mortar, and take out the handspikes and quoin; Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 unscrew, and take out the cap-squares. All the numbers man the dragropes, except Nos. 3 and 4, and throw the mortar to the rear. If it does not fall on its face, Nos. 3, and 4 place their handspikes under the trunnions (Nos. 5, and 6 the bight of the dragropes under the trunnions) and raise the mortar on its face; then Nos. 3, and 4 place their handspikes on the trunnions; Nos. 5, and 6 place the loop ends round the handspikes, and trunnions; even Nos. go to the front, and odd Nos. to the rear, and turn the mortar round. Nos. 5, and 6 place their dragropes over the opposite bolts of the mortar bed; Nos. 3, and 4 assist with their handspikes. All the Nos., at right angles to each other, turn the mortar bed round, and run it close up to the mortar.
To mount the Mortar.
Nos. 3, and 4 place their handspikes under the trunnions, and on the top steps of the mortar bed; Nos. 5, and 6 place their dragropes round the trunnions, and throw the mortar into the trunnion boxes: the mortar is raised perpendicular, as before. All the Nos. will do what they have undone; even Nos. go to the front, odd Nos. to the rear, and ease the mortar down.
N.B. The cap-squares are not to be shifted over till the mortar is raised perpendicular.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LANDING SEAMEN, AND MARINES, WITH FIELD PIECES.
For Exercise, or Service on shore.
1. The boats should be formed in divisions, according to the seniority of the Captains of their respective ships, numbering from No. 1, on the right. The seamen, and marines should be told off in companies previous to leaving their ships, and on landing they will form immediately in the same order.
2. Each division of boats should have a distinguishing flag. Launches will carry two scaling ladders, intrenching tools, &c.; barges, and pinnaces, one ladder each.
3. The boats will always land a boat’s length apart. Beforeleaving the ships, two boat keepers for each boat, and an officer in charge of each division of boats are to be told off, and are on no account to leave them.
A fast-pulling boat with medical officers will attend in rear of the line.
4. Should the distance from the point of landing be considerable, the boats of each division, in tow of each other, commencing with the lightest boats, will pull in,—the leading boat of each division abreast, leaving space for the whole to form line abreast when ordered.
The boats will be dressed in line, as well as circumstances will admit. The officer in command will commence firing from the gun-boats when he thinks fit, but no shells, Shrapnell shells, or musketry are to be fired without orders.
5. When the commanding officer perceives the beach to be cleared (or when he considers it proper) he will order the boats to advance; they will pull in immediately, and land their crews, and field pieces, the latter will be formed on the flanks of their own division, or in batteries, according to orders; the scaling ladders in the rear until required for service.
6. The launches’ crews may be employed in throwing up a breast-work, and placing their guns in it, to cover their re-embarkation, should it become necessary.
7. Should the boats be employed for the disembarkation of troops, the same arrangement as to the divisions of boats should remain. It will then be desirable that every boat should carry a flag similar to that of the commanding officer of its division, and, when in large numbers, the boats should also be painted according to the colours of the flags, that the troops may readily know their own boats.
On these occasions, the launches, barges, and pinnaces will form a front line, so as to clear the beach; the light boats will tow troop boats, paddle box boats, &c., and be ready to succour any boats that may be damaged by the enemy’s fire.
The orders, as to the firing of musketry, should be strictly enjoined, as before, with the seamen, and marines. It would be better that no musket should be loaded, and no knapsacks taken.
Proportion of Charges, Spare powder, &c., for a 51 Gun, screw, steam Frigate; and 50 Gun Frigate.
KEY:A = Number.B = Proportion for each Gun.C = Total number of Cartridges.D = Number in each case.E = Number of cases.
KEY:A = Number.B = Proportion for each Gun.C = Total number of Cartridges.D = Number in each case.E = Number of cases.
ON NAVAL BOMBARDMENTS.[35]
“The attack of fortresses, and powerful land batteries with a naval force only, must ever be a hazardous, and perhaps desperate undertaking. But if skilfully combined with a military force sufficiently strong to make good its landing, to invest the place, or the batteries on the land side, to take the defences in reverse, and so open the way to the attack by sea, the object of the attack will in general be successful. But this mode of proceeding can only be applied when the place to be attacked occupies a position, insular or otherwise, of such extent as to admit of being attacked by land as well as by sea. When the place, fortress, or arsenal to be attacked is covered and protected by isolated points of defence, mutually protecting each other, and when no previous military operation can be made, those points or outposts should be attacked in detail, and successively reduced; after which the fleet may arrive at, and attack the main position. This must evidently be a protracted and difficult process, even with such means: with ships alone, it cannot be effected without severe loss, and damages: and it should always be remembered that many of the attacking ships would be severely injured, probably disabled, in the attempt, whilst the enemy’s fleet would remain untouched, and in reserve. It would, therefore, follow that the attacking fleet must be exposed to a very disadvantageous action with the enemy, in the event of the latter subsequently leaving his place of shelter.
“When the fortress, or arsenal to be attacked is situated on a coast which may be approached from the open sea in any direction, steam-ships may avoid the danger of a direct attack, end-on, or oblique, by approaching the place on either, or perhaps on both sides; and, having gained the proper proximity, clear of raking, or diagonal fire, range quickly up in parallel order, to attack the place in line, or lines; as in steam warfare, ship against ship, or fleet against fleet, direct advances upon the broadside batteries of ships, may, upon the same principle be avoided, and the enemy attacked in parallel order, by ranging up to him, and forced to fight if the attacking ships are superior in speed.
“But when the fortress, arsenal, or place to be attacked is only approachable by a narrow and intricate channel, through which ships can only pass singly, or nearly so, there can be no manœuvering for position. There is no way of avoiding being met by direct, then oblique, and ultimately raking fire from the batteries that defend the channel, and steam can only perform its office of propulsion into or through those intricacies under these disadvantageous, and hazardous circumstances. Steam-ships might, indeed, run past advanced, or covering batteries at full speed, without being much damaged; but it would be extremely perilous to leave such forts unsilenced in theirrear, and, unless the daring enterprise should succeed, like Nelson’s, at Copenhagen, to produce a cessation of hostilities, the fleet, or at least any disabled ships, could never get out again.
“However successful a naval attack of a fortress, or arsenal may be, the work of destruction can never be effectually accomplished by ships. The sea defences may be silenced, guns dismounted, parapets ruined, magazines blown up by mortar shells, and habitations devastated by the cruel process of bombardment; but no substantial demolition of the defences, or material destruction of public works and property, can be effected, unless the partial and rather temporary than permanent damages inflicted by the attacks of ships be followed up and completed, by having actual possession of the captured place for a sufficient time to ruin it entirely. No naval operation, however skilfully planned, and gallantly executed, can, in this way, reap the fruits of its own victory.
“In the desultory operations of small active steamers employed to shell, with their pivot guns, open towns, roadsteads, harbours, and slender buildings, magazines, stores, &c., &c., or to shell bodies of troops on shore, the attacking vessels should never anchor, but having given their end-on fire, go off at speed to reload, and prepare to take up the fire in turn with others, whenever they regain a favourable position for a good effect. To hit a steamer running with speed across a line of fire is no easy matter (Arts. 331, 341); and when in the end-on position, she presents but a small target to hit ata long range.”