Part I.—Article 1.—Telling off the Detachments.
The men fall in two deep, and are told off on the same principle as for field guns. No. 1 always commands his detachment.
A gun detachment being drawn up in line, two deep, No. 1 is the right hand man of the front rank; No. 2 is the right hand man of the rear rank; and No. 3 his front rank man; and so on.
The men must go through every part of the exercise in turn. At the word “Change round” when there are seven men in a detachment,
No. 3 shifting in front of the muzzle.
When there are only six men in a detachment,
the rest as above.
The detachments are told off on their private parades, and marched to the battery. Arrived there, they are halted a few paces in rear of the platforms, to the left of their respective guns, so as to be covered by the merlons, and facing the parapet.
The commander then gives the caution, “Take post under cover of the merlon;” and immediately afterwards the executive word, “To the right face,” No. 1 after facing takes an oblique pace to the rear, on theleft of 3. At the wordquick march, the detachments step off except No. 1, who at first marks time until the detachment has past him, and then follows in rear of 6. When the detachments are opposite to the left corner of the platforms, the ranks open out on each side of the guns, the rear ranks on the right, the front ranks on the left—the whole outside of the platforms. Nos. 2 and 3 halt next to the embrasure, as soon as they arrive at the parapet; 4, 6, and 1 halt in succession on the right of 2; 5 and 7 on the left of 3. When all the numbers have arrived at the parapet in the order here detailed, the commander gives the word, “Right about face.”
The detachments are now in the position, which they should always occupy in action, in a battery, unless actively employed in their duties at the guns.
When there is no parapet, the command is given to “Take post at the guns;” Nos. 2 and 3 halt in line with the muzzle of the piece; 4 and 5 in line with the trunnions; 6 and 7 with the vent; 1 the trail: the whole outside of the platform and in echellon. The numbers should never cover if they can avoid doing so.
The following general detail of duties for a detachment of seven men is applicable to all natures of guns, from 18-pounders and upwards, on any description of carriage whatever.
The following general detail of duties for a detachment of six men, is applicable to all natures of guns below 18-pounder, on any description of carriage whatever.
Besides the men told off to each gun, there must be some at the magazine, to fill and issue cartridges. When shells are fired, some men must be appointed to fill them, and to cut and fix fuzes; No. 6 brings up shells to 3, who uncaps the fuze.
Guns are always laid under metal,i. e., at an angle of depression, after exercise.
The following is a list of stores required for the service of heavy ordnance in batteries:—
When there is no parapet the side arms must be laid on the ground in the order above detailed, about two paces from the gun, and parallel to it; the spunge and rammer heads to the front, and supported to keep them free from gravel.
Five handspikes.—Two of these are placed on each side of the platform close to the edge of it, the points towards the parapet; the points of the front handspikes about two feet from the hurter, the points of the rear ones overlapping inside to about the middle of the front ones; the front handspikes for the use of 2 and 3, the rear ones for the use of 4 and 5. The fifth handspike is placed close to the rear of the middle of the platform, small end to the right, for the use of 1. All bevelled handspikes are to be laid bevelled side upwards.
One leather pocket with tubes.—The tube pocket must be strapped on the left side of No. 7, who will keep it close shut.
One lanyard with hookfor friction tubes in charge of No. 7, who attaches it to the waist belt of the tube pocket; or, one hammer with lanyard likewise in charge of 7, who fixes it to the gun, assisted by 1.
Shot, piled on the left of the gun, close to the front of the platform.
Wads, (if necessary,) close to the shot.
Broom, shovel, one or two for each battery.
Spade, pick, one per battery if thought necessary.
Guns on dwarf and casemate traversing platforms require nearly the same stores.
Two shod levers, in place of three common handspikes, and in addition,
Two truck levers. Two scotches. One preventive rope.
Two luff tackles.With 8-inch guns and all above that calibre, the tackles should consist of double blocks.
Guns on common traversing platforms require nearly the same stores as those on dwarf platforms. When the four trucks are on, two shod levers to be substituted for two truck levers.
Article 3.
TO SHIFT A GUN FROM THE FIRING TO THE TRAVELLING, OR FROM THE TRAVELLING TO THE FIRING TRUNNION HOLES.
The wheels of the gun carriage and those of the limber should, if possible, always be on a level and scotched. In shifting the gun either way, it should only be lifted so high, as to keep the under side of the trunnions clear of the cheeks of the carriage.
When the gun is in the travelling holes, the screw must be taken out to prevent its being damaged; it is lodged in a place for it between the cheeks. The gun roller is strapped to the hind part of the centre transom.
Heavy guns on travelling carriages require the following number of men for their service in the field:—
being necessary on the march for extricating them out of difficulties, taking up positions, laying temporary platforms, placing planks under the wheels and trail,to facilitate theworking of the gun, &c., &c.
Prepare to shift the gun. Bear down. Lower. Lift, and heave. Halt, lower the muzzle. Bear down. Lower. Strap on the side arms and handspikes.
Article 4.
EXERCISE OF GUNS, ON SIEGE CARRIAGES.
The disposition, and duties of the detachments are the same as detailed for guns on standing carriages; with the exception of the application of the handspikes.
In addition to the stores, and side arms for the service of the gun, a heavy gun in the field requires men’s harness, and dragropes, a lifting jack, a set of intrenching tools, and three planks of a foot wide, and ten or twelve feet long. There should be a lever, and fulcrums, and prop, for every two guns; besides a gyn, rollers, tackles, and ropes for every four guns. The side arms, handspikes, and planks are strapped on the cheek; the gyn, rollers, tackles, &c., are carried on a platform waggon.
Planks for temporary platform. When the ground is not very hard, it will be found very necessary to lay planks under the wheels and trail for the carriage to recoil on.
Article 5.
EXERCISE OF GUNS ON DWARF, AND CASEMATE TRAVERSING PLATFORMS.
The disposition, and duties of the detachments are the same as atpage 174, with the following additions, viz., No. 1 guides the levers whilst the gun is running back; Nos. 1, and 7 hold on the preventer rope, and 4, and 5 guide the levers, whilst it is running up; Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 manage the truck levers, reeve the tackles, hook, and unhook them.
[26]Prepare for action. Reeve the tackle, and fix the preventer rope. Hook the tackles. Load. Run the gun up. Ease off. Halt.After Pointing, Laying, Priming, and Firing——Run the gun back. Heave. Halt. Unreeve the tackle, and take off the preventer rope.
Article 6.
EXERCISE OF GUNS ON COMMON TRAVERSING PLATFORMS.
The disposition, and duties of the detachments, as atpage 174.
Load. Run the gun up. Heave.Elevating, Traversing, Priming, Firing, and Running back, as detailed for guns on dwarf, and casemate traversing platforms.
Article 7.
DISPOSITION, AND DUTIES OF FIRING HOT SHOT, WITH SEVEN MEN.
With all kinds of traversing platforms, No. 3 receives the bearer from 6 and 7, and assists 2 to put in the shot.
The gun is spunged in the ordinary manner, but the spunge must be wetted, and the gun frequently cooled with it.
The same stores are required as for the service of heavy guns with cold shot. Junk wads are indispensable, and those which are used wet should be made of a low gauge.
One standon which to place the shot, in order to scrape them.
One shot bearerper gun.Two tubsfull of water, to soak wads, cool tongs, &c.Two or three water buckets.
The furnacemay be heated either with wood, or coals, or a mixture of coal and coke, according to circumstances.
There should never be less than three men to attend the furnace, even when the shot and wood are close at hand, and four will generally be required, viz., one non-commissioned officer, or steady man in charge to see that the reddest shot are served out and replaced by cold ones, and to keep up such a fire as he may judge necessary.
One man to light and attend the fire, and supply fresh fuel when required.
One to take out shot, lay them on the stand, scrape them, and afterwards place them on a bearer.
One to supply the furnace with cold shot, and to bring fuel.
Loading.
The powder must be in a good flannel cartridge, which must undergo the strictest examination, to see that there are no holes in it, lest in setting it home any grains should fall out. The gun must be elevated, in order that the shot may roll freely along the bore.
Load. Prepare to Load. Load.
ADDISON’S SHOT FURNACE.
This furnace will contain in three rows, alongside of each other, fifteen 32-pounder, or eighteen 24-pounder, or twenty-one 18-pounder shot.
To heat the furnace.
To heat the furnace, it takes of coals ½ a bushel, of coke 2½ bushels, and shavings for lighting it. It should be allowed twenty minutes to light properly.
To heat the shot.
Fifteen 32-pounder shot being then put in, are heated in forty minutes.
Order of using the shot.
The shot should be taken equally out of each row from the rear of the furnace, and replaced by cold ones from the front.
After the furnace has been thoroughly heated, it will supply a new batch of shot every twenty minutes.
The furnace should be placed to leeward, and as near the battery as may be convenient, carefully selecting an open space, with as great a draught as can be found. The draught-hole should be to windward, and the furnace perfectly horizontal.
Article 8.
EXERCISE OF CARRONADES, 68-POUNDER, SEVEN MEN.
The disposition and duties are the same as detailed for the service of heavy guns with seven men, in Articles 1 and 2. But as the spunge stave is short, No. 2 receives it with his right hand at the rammer head, and left near the spunge head, pushes it up to the bottom of the chamber at once, spunges out, and proceeds as directed for guns.
The shot weighing above ½ cwt. No. 2 assists 3 to put it into the bore by means of a shot bearer, which they raise to the muzzle with their outward hands, backs down, and their inward hands, backs up.
24 and 12-Pounders, Six men.
The disposition, and duties are the same as detailed for the service of heavy guns with six men. SeeArticles 1, and 2.
Article 9.
EXERCISE OF GUNS, AND CARRONADES ON SHIP CARRIAGES, WITH SEVEN MEN.
The disposition, and duties are the same as in the gun and carronade exercises, but a few additional men are necessary for manning the tackles.
The same stores as for guns on common traversing platforms, with the exception of the four levers, and in addition, three handspikes, and a breeching.
Fix the breeching. Hook the tackles. Run the gun in. Heave. Halt.Spunge, and load,as detailed for guns on standing carriages.Run the gun out. Heave. Halt.Elevating, Traversing, Priming and Firing,as directed in Article 2.
Article 10.
GUNS, AND CARRONADES ON DEPRESSING CARRIAGES.
When, after being fired, the piece is to be loaded, it must be brought to such a position that the spunge may be clear of the ground, or sill of the embrasure. Short pieces, such as carronades, and howitzers, are superior to guns for great depression, as they are easily managed and quickly loaded.
Article 11.
EXERCISE OF 10 AND 8-INCH HOWITZERS, ON STANDING AND SIEGE CARRIAGES, WITH SEVEN MEN.
The same stores are required for the service of howitzers as for that of guns, (substituting shells for shot,) and, in addition, a shell bearer, a sheepskin, and a pair of setting up pincers.
The detachments take post as directed for guns.
Load. Shell.The howitzers are run up, elevated, traversed, primed, and fired,as detailed for guns.
Article 12.
EXERCISE OF MORTARS.
The detachments are told off and numbered as detailed in Article 1. When they are to take post the commander gives the word, “Take post at the mortars, to the right face.” No. 1, after facing, takes an oblique pace to the rear on the left of No. 3. At the word “Quick march,” the ranks open out and march on each side of the mortars, as directed for guns. Nos. 2 and 3 halt in line with the muzzle; 4 and 5 with the trunnions; 6 and 7 with the rear of the bed; the whole outside of the platform, and in echellon, except No. 1, who takes post in rear of the platform.
Disposition, and Duties of Detachments, for 13 and 10-inch Mortars, with Seven men.
Disposition, and Duties of Detachments, for 8, 5½, and 4⅖-inch Mortars, with Five men.
The shells ought always to be deposited behind traverses raised for the purpose, or in other sheltered places, and one or two men, according to circumstances, should be appointed to scrape and clean the inside of them, and prepare them for the powder and fuzes. There must also be men to weigh or measure out the charges of powder, according to the directions of No. 1.
The following stores are required for the service of mortars:—
One spungeto be placed on the right of the mortar, the spunge head to the front, and supported to keep it free from gravel.
One scraperfor two mortars.
One cartridge case, for bringing up the cartridge; or a paper or leather case, for loading when the powder is loose.
One beam hook, for 13-inch;One pair of hand hooks, for 10-inch.
One new pattern hand hook, or piece of cord, for 8-inch.
Four handspikes.Two on each side of the platform, as directed for guns.
Two pointing rods, or pickets.
One plummetwith line, in charge of No. 1.
A piece of sheepskin, or an empty sand-bagfor wiping the bottom of the shell; to be placed on the right of the spunge.
One quadrant, One perpendicular, One fuze engine, for every four or five mortars.One tube pocket. One lanyard with hook, for friction tubes.One set of priming irons. One filling funnel. One cork screw. One mallet. Two setters. Tow, or flax. Shells. Pound shot, or stones. Bottomsfor ditto.Valenciennes composition. Fuzes. Carcasses. Light balls.
Prepare for action. Plant the pointing rods. Halt. Plant the rod.Pointing rods are sometimes fixed in two and a half or three inch planks, about seven or eight feet in length, prepared for this purpose.
Mortars are run up by the same numbers, and in the same manner, as guns on standing carriages, the handspikes being applied under the running up bolts.Load. Put in the shell. Traverse. Muzzle right. Heave. Halt. Muzzle Left. Heave. Halt.If necessary—Cross lift the mortar to the right, (orLEFT).Heave. Down.Priming, and Firing, as detailed for guns, except that No. 2, at the word “Ready,” takes the sheepskin out of the mortar, and as well as No. 3 takes an oblique pace to the rear, to be clear of the explosion.
Article 13.
FIRING BY NIGHT.
To insure as accurate a fire as possible during the night, the following expedients have been adopted:—
For guns on standing carriages.—A directing bar, or piece of timber, about a foot or eighteen inches longer than the platform and four inches by six in thickness, is used. It has a hole at one end, through which a bolt is passed into the platform close to the hurter, and in the object line. On this bolt the bar traverses. At equal distances from the axis or middle line of the carriage, two cleats are bolted under each axletree, at a distance from each other equal to the breadth of the bar, and the bar is passed under the carriage and fitted between these cleats. Holes are bored at the tail of the platform, for the reception of bolts, at distances from each other to suit the size of the bar. The gun is laid for the object during the day, and should the bar fall exactly between two holes, the bolts are put in, and the bar remains fixed. When however the bar covers a hole, the bolts are put into the nearest holes on each side, and small wedges driven in between them and the bar, in order to keep it in its place. The gun now requires nothing more after each round than to be loaded, run up, and fired; operations which are as easily performed by night as by day.
For guns on travelling carriages.—The gun having been properly laid during the day, a bead or piece of timber of a proper scantling isnailed or screwed to the platform, inside the felloe of each wheel, and parallel to the object line, and two shorter pieces are fastened in like manner outside of the cheeks of the carriage, at the trail.
By a proper application of scotches, the Madras and every description of traversing platform can be made available for night firing.
When the foregoing expedients cannot be resorted to, the platform and the carriage should be chalked in different places, and when the gun is run up, these chalk-marks should be made to correspond. A lantern, in this case, is always required.
For Mortars.
After the mortar has been accurately laid, a plank, thin enough to go under the running-up bolts without touching them, is placed against the outside of one of the cheeks of the bed, and nailed or screwed to the platform, and the mortar after every round, run up to it. If a suitable piece of plank cannot be procured the platform must be chalked close to the mortar bed.
Article 14.
FIRING AT MOVING OBJECTS.
For firing at moving objects a garrison carriage may be fitted with a directing bar, as for night firing, and traversed by means of tackles hooked to eye-bolts in the rear end of the bar. If the rear end be shaped for about ten inches like an axletree arm, and fitted with a truck, the operation of traversing will be greatly facilitated. This method is peculiarly applicable to coast batteries, where the guns are mounteden barbetteand where vessels under sail are the objects to be fired at. The gun is elevated and primed, and the proper tackle being then hauled upon, No. 1 gives the word “Fire,” without any caution to the traversing numbers.
Part 2.—Article 1.
LEVER, AND HANDSPIKE.
The lever is of essential use in the service of artillery. When it is 6 feet long, and 3½ inches square at the large end, calledthe point, it is termed a handspike. The greater the length of the lever the greater is its power.[27]
Slewing.
To slew a gun, or mortar, strictly speaking, is to turn it on its axis without moving it from the spot on which it rests.
Pinching.
Pinching is the operation of moving a gun, or mortar, by small heaves of the handspike, without allowing it to turn on its axis. It is moved little by little, and never raised in its progress, but rubs against the skid on which it rests.
Cross-lifting.
To cross-lift a gun, or carriage, is to move it in a direction nearly perpendicular to its axis. Heavy guns, mounted, or dismounted, require a long lever, and a fulcrum, for cross-lifting. Guns of medium weight may be cross-lifted by means of handspikes.
Article 2.
FULCRUMS, AND PROPS.
Any piece of strong timber of suitable dimensions may serve for a fulcrum, or a prop. It is called a fulcrum when used to support a lever, and a prop when used as a temporary support for anything else.
Fulcrums.
The distance of the fulcrum from the weight which is to be raised should be such that, when the lever rests upon the top of it, the point may be put under the weight, and the lever form such an angle with the horizon that, when it is heaved down, and the small end nearly touches the ground, the weight may be raised to the required height.
Except with very heavy bodies, care must be taken, in placing a fulcrum, that it is inclined in a small degree towards the body, so that when the lever acts it may bring the fulcrum into a vertical position.
Props.
There cannot be a better prop than a quoin, when it is long enough, or a piece of wood of that shape, of proportionate size.
If the wheels of a carriage are to be taken off, and the carriage propped, the trail should be first secured from slipping.
The props are placed under each cheek, or under the shoulder of the axletree, with a slight inclination towards the carriage.
When one wheel only is to be taken off, and the other scotched, the props may be placed vertically; but practice alone will point out the proper position of props in all situations.
The point of the lever must not be withdrawn, until it is evident that the prop is well placed.
Article 3.
LIFTING JACK.
The lifting jack forms part of the equipment of every battery, and battering train. It may be applied to many of the purposes for which a long lever is used; but it is commonly employed to raise the wheels of carriages from the ground when they are to be greased, or exchanged, and to extricate them from ruts and holes.
The wheel opposite to that which is to be raised must be scotched.
On soft ground a piece of board must be placed under the foot of the jack, to prevent its sinking.
There are three kinds of lifting jacks in the service—
1st.The common lifting jackis used for field carriages only. The arm, which may be adjusted, within certain limits, to any required height, is a lever of the first kind, and is applied accordingly. The body of the jack is the support on which it works.
2nd.The tooth and pinion jackis of greater power than the common jack, and is used for heavy carriages. It is applied vertically under the carriage, which is raised by turning the winch of the jack.
3rd.The screw jackis an elevating screw of large dimensions, and is of greater power than either of the other two. Like the tooth and pinion jack, it is applied vertically under the body, which is raised, like the breech of a gun, by turning up the screw. The foot of it is furnished with three spikes, to prevent its slipping when the screw is turned.
If a wheel is to be extricated from a rut, into which it has sunk so far that the lifting jack cannot be applied in the ordinary manner, the jack is placed as close to the wheel as possible, on the outside of it. A piece of rope, passed under the nave, is made fast to the extremity of the arm, if the common jack is used, or to the fork, if either of the other kinds be employed. The jack is then worked as usual, and stones or other hard substances are thrown under the wheel, to prevent its sinking, as often as it may be necessary to take fresh purchases.
The tooth and pinion and screw jacks may be employed to move bodies horizontally a few inches, provided a good abutment or support can be found for the foot of the stock. By the application of two jacks, in opposite directions, bodies may be brought together to be spliced, riveted, &c.
Article 4.
ROLLERS.
Rollers are solid cylinders of wood, used in mounting guns upon their carriages, in shifting them from carriage to carriage, and in moving them through passages too narrow to admit of the use of the ordinary means of transport. Their dimensions vary, according to the nature of the service for which they are intended.
They can be used with advantage, only on a perfectly level plane surface.
When a cylindrical body is moved on rollers, they must be perfectly horizontal, or it will roll off them; and even when the rollers are horizontal, steadying handspikes should, if possible, be applied, to guard still further against such an accident.
The rollers must be placed at right angles to the direction in which they are intended to move, projecting equally on each side of the axis of the gun, or other body, which they support.
A gun laid upon rollers may be moved, either by hauling upon it with ropes, or by means of levers. In the last case, two holes crossing each other at right angles, are pierced near each end of the several rollers, and in them are inserted the points of iron levers, by means of which the rollers are turned in the required direction.
In order that rollers may be used with the greatest effect, and that there may be as little necessity as possible for shifting them during the course of an operation, it must be borne in mind,—
1st. That a roller moves in a direction perpendicular to its own axis.
2nd. That it moves over half the space only which is traversed by the body it supports.
Article 5.
CRAB CAPSTAN.
A crab capstan consists of a barrel, (in shape, a frustum of a cone,) and of a framework of wood and iron by which the barrel is supported in a vertical position with its largest diameter next the ground. It is furnished with two levers, called capstan bars, which are passed through mortices in the upper part of the barrel, and by means of which the barrel may be turned about on its axis. By means of the crab capstan, a few men, acting at the levers, can move weights which would be far beyond their strength, if applied in the ordinary manner; and it may, therefore, be used with advantage in many situations, in which it may be either difficult to command labour, or desirable to economise it.
One end of a rope is made fast to the weight which is to be moved, and is called thestanding end. The other, called the running end, is passed two or three times round the lower part of the barrel, the loose or running end being kept above the turns, and stretched taught by the man who passed it round. As the barrel is turned, the standing end of the rope winds round it, forces the turns up the barrel, and clears itself. As fast as the running end comes off the barrel, it is coiled by a man appointed to that duty.
The capstan, when used, is secured by ropes to pickets, driven on the opposite side of it to that on which the strain acts upon it. Three men at each end of both bars—i. e., twelve men in all—is the greatest number that can be employed at the capstan with advantage; and two men are required for the running end of the fall, as previouslydescribed. The levers are twelve feet in length, and the power of twelve men, acting upon them, is about equivalent to that of 132 men acting at the end of a taught rope.
If a crab capstan cannot be procured, the windlass of a gyn may be used as a substitute, the cheeks being laid on the ground and secured with pickets; or a temporary capstan may be rigged, by lashing four handspikes to the spokes and felloe of a limber wheel, which is turned upon the pintail of the dismounted limber.
Article 12.
SLING CART.
The sling cart weighs about 15 cwt., and is employed for moving heavy ordnance. It is capable of carrying 65 cwt.
One non-commissioned officer and six men are required, numbered as usual; but it can be worked by one non-commissioned officer and four men.
Articles required:—
One slingof six-inch white rope, two fathoms long, with an eye-splice at each end.
One sling tye, of one-inch tarred rope, two feet long.
One prypole.
One prypole rope, 2½-inch, three fathoms long.
Two levers, six feet nine inches long.
Two lever ropes, of two-inch tarred rope, each two fathoms.
Two pawls.
Two common handspikes.
Two pieces of short skidding, about 4½ feet long, and five or six inches square.
The detachment is drawn up in rear of and facing the cart, the command is given, “Form the order of exercise—to the right face—quick march.” The detachment wheels to the left, and the ranks open out. Nos. 2 and 3 halt one pace in rear of and covering the wheels. The whole one pace from each other, and covering.
Disposition, and duties of the Men.
Form the order of march. Quick march.If the gun be not on skids, a piece of skidding is placed under it, a little in front of the trunnions, to make room for the sling to be passed under the piece. Before the piece is slung, the trunnions are brought vertical, or nearly so, either by the ordinary method of slewing, or by means of the sling cart, as follows:—
Back the cart over the gun. Scotch the wheels. Form the order of exercise. Quick march. Unlash the prypole, levers, and handspikes. Fix the sling to the right of the windlass. Overhaul the sling. Prepare to raise the right trunnion. Heave in the slack. Take up levers. Right lever take purchase. Heave. Left lever take purchase. Right lever fetch. Left lever heave. Right lever take purchase. Left lever fetch. Halt. Out levers. Sling the gun. Heave in the slack. Man the levers. Heave. Left lever hold on. Right lever fetch.Alternately to the lever numbers—Hold on, andFETCH, until the gun is close to the axletree,Halt. Prepare to raise the breech. Raise the breech.(If necessary,Take a fresh purchase. Heave.)Halt, lash the breech. Lash levers, and handspikes.
Unslinging the Gun.
Unlash levers, and handspikes. Unlash the prypole. Man the levers. Ease off. Left lever hold on. Right lever fetch. Right lever hold on. Left lever fetch. Out levers.
Slinging a Howitzer.
A howitzer is slung, and unslung according to the foregoing details.
Slinging a Mortar.
A mortar is slung with the muzzle towards the rear. For a 13-inch mortar, the wheels of the sling waggon ought to be used for the sling cart, and a double-barrelled windlass, if procurable.
Unslinging a Mortar.
See“Unslinging a Gun.”
Slinging a Mortar bed.
The windlass for raising Mortar beds is of a different construction from that of guns, being square in the middle, and cylindrical at each end. The bed is slung with the front part towards the rear of the cart.
Sling the bed. Lash the bed.
Unslinging a Mortar bed.
Unslinging a mortar bed is just the reverse of slinging, each number undoing what he had previously done.
Article 13.
SLING WAGGON.
The sling waggon weighs about 29 cwt., and is employed for moving heavy ordnance, and their standing carriages. It requires a detachment of 1 non-commissioned officer and 8 men; but 1 non-commissioned officer and 6 men can sling any weight below a 24-pounder.
The following articles are required:—
One slingof five-inch white rope, 2½ fathoms long, and having an eye-splice at each end.
One sling tyeof one-inch tarred rope, two feet long.
One breech rope, or carriage sling, of 2½-inch tarred rope, 6 fathoms long.
Two levers, six feet nine inches long.
Two lever ropes, of two-inch tarred rope, 2½ fathoms each.
Two pawls.
Four common handspikes.
Two pieces of skidding, about four feet long, and six or seven inches square.
One pair of strong dragropes.
The detachment is numbered in the usual manner, and takes post for exercise, as at the sling cart.
Disposition, and duties of the men.
Bringing the stores.—If the stores are not with the waggon, Nos. 2 and 3 bring a lever each, and 4 and 5 two handspikes each; 6 the gunsling, and 7 the carriage sling or breech rope; 8 and 9 the skids and drag ropes.
The gun is supposed to be lying on skids, and its carriage on one side, with its breast nearly in line with the breech.
Form the order of march. Quick march. Back the waggon over the gun. Prepare to unlimber. Unlimber. Out levers. Prepare to turn the gun carriage over. Turn the gun carriage over—Heave. Take off the trucks. Prepare to lift the carriage to the cross-bar. Lift the carriage to the cross-bar. Fix the carriage sling. Take up levers. Right lever take a purchase—Heave. Out levers—off sling. Prepare to limber up. Limber up. Prepare to back the waggon. Back the waggon. Scotch the hind wheels. Put on the trucks. Form the order of exercise. Quick march. Prepare to raise the trunnion on the right. Heave in the slack. Take up levers. Right lever take a purchase—Heave. Left lever take a purchase. Right lever fetch. Left lever heave. Out levers. Sling the gun. Man the levers. Left lever hold on—Right lever fetch. Prepare to raise the breech. Raise the breech. Frap and make fast. Place stool bed, and quoin. Lash up levers, and handspikes.
Dismounting the Gun, and Carriage.
Place skids, unlash, and scotch the wheels. Unlash the breech. Form the order of exercise. Quick march. Levers take a purchase to lower the gun. Bear down. Ease off. Right lever hold on. Left lever fetch. Left lever hold on. Right lever fetch. Ease off.
Slinging Howitzers.
A howitzer is slung in the same manner as a gun.
Slinging Mortars.
A 13-inch mortar and its bed require each a waggon for itself; but a 10 or 8-inch mortar can be conveyed on its bed, by one waggon.
Limber up. Unscotch the wheels. Run the waggon back. Prepare to lash up the muzzle. Heave. Run the waggon forward.
Article 15.
TRIANGLE GYNS.
There are two patterns of triangle gyn, the small and the large.
The small gyn has legs sixteen feet long, weighs about 8½ cwt.,including the tackle, and is capable of raising with safety 65 cwt. It is principally used for mounting guns and howitzers on their carriages, and for dismounting them; and for placing ordnance of every description on platform waggons.
The large gyn has legs twenty feet long, weighs about 11½ cwt., including the tackle, and is also capable of raising with safety 65 cwt. It is principally used for mounting guns upon traversing platforms, and for dismounting them.
The rear of the gyn is the part where the windlass is fixed. The front of the gyn is the prypole.
Strength of Gyn Detachments.
One non-commissioned officer and ten men are allowed to raise and work the gyn, numbered as for gun drill.
The same number is sufficient to carry the small gyn. The large one should be drawn to the place where it is to be used in a hand cart.
At exercise the even numbers are on the right, and the odd numbers on the left.
The following is the list of stores required for the service of gyns:—
Disposition, and duties of the Men.
Put the gyn together, and reeve the tackle. Place the windlass.
To raise, and place a Gyn.
Prepare to raise the gyn.At a small gyn the tackle is hooked before the gyn is raised; at a large gyn it is not hooked until after the operation has been performed.At the Small gyn,Hook the tackle. Raise the gyn. Halt. Prepare to place the gyn, either pattern.Lift the cheeks in, out, to the right, or to the left.At the Large gyn,Prepare to hook the tackle. Hoist the tackle.
To raise a Gun, or other object, and to mount and dismount a Gun or Howitzer on, and from a standing carriage; or to shift it from one carriage to another.
Post yourselves. Pass the fall round the windlass. Put on the sling, and hook the block. Fix the sling, to a gun, or howitzer without dolphins. Or,Fix the lashing, to a mortar, or other piece of ordnance with dolphins.Fix the sling, to a mortar bed.Shift the fall to the right of the windlass. Haul taught.Everything being prepared for raising the piece, &c., which has been slung,Work the levers. Heave.Fetch. Heave, Fetch, alternately until the piece, &c., is high enough.High enough. Make fast the fall.If a gun, or howitzer is to be dismounted, the carriage is run from under by Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and the piece is lowered to the ground—Prepare to lower the piece. Lower.The piece is unslung, and the sling removed by the same numbers that slung it. Before striking the large gyn, the tackle must be unhooked; an operation exactly the reverse of hooking.Prepare to strike the gyn. Strike the gyn. Take the gyn to pieces.
To mount a Gun, and Carriage, upon a platform waggon, by means of a triangle gyn.
The gyn is placed over the gun in the usual manner, and the platform waggon is brought to the side of the gyn, with its rear towards the muzzle of the gun. The gun is then raised, by means of the gyn; and, when high enough, and the fall made fast, the carriage is run back by Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5.Prepare to back the waggon. Back the waggon. Lower the gun.The sling is then removed, and the waggon is run forward. The gun carriage is next brought under the gyn, and turned bottom upwards—Lift. Fix the carriage sling.The carriage is now raised by means of the gyn, and is lowered upon the piece.Lash the carriage.
Article 16.
GIBRALTAR GYN.
The Gibraltar gyn is principally used for mounting, and dismounting guns, and howitzers on, and from standing carriages. It weighs 10¾ cwt., and can support three tons with safety.
The following stores are required for the service of the gyn:—
One fall, of 3½-inch white rope, eight fathoms long.
Two lashingsfor slinging the gun, of 2½-inch tarred rope, each twenty feet long.
One stopper, about 5½ feet long, of 2½-inch tarred rope, more than one half plaited as a gasket.
One iron triple block, with brass sheaves, to which is attached a bar of iron 2½ feet long, for suspending the gun, its ends turned up to prevent the slings slipping off.
Four common handspikes. Two dragropes.
One non-commissioned officer and six men are allowed for working the gyn, numbered as usual.
The gyn is moved by means of dragropes hooked to the staples of the front, or rear axletrees by Nos. 6 and 7. It can be drawn over hard level ground by the working detachment of six men. On ground of an unfavourable nature, a greater number than this is necessary.
The rear of the gyn is the part where the windlass is fixed.
The detachment being formed a few paces in rear of the gyn, No. 1 gives the word, “Take post for exercise—To the right face—Quick march.” The detachment wheels to the left, and the ranks open out. Nos. 2 and 3 halt one pace in rear of their respective axletree arms. The whole one pace from each other, and covering.
Disposition, and Duties of the Detachment.
Prepare to place the gyn. Place the gyn by hand, (orBY CROSSLIFTING).Reeve the tackle. Prepare to sling the piece. Sling the piece. Haul in the slack. Heave round the windlass. Halt. Stopper the fall. Shift the fall. Halt.The carriage having been run under the piece, or away from it, as may be required, the piece is lowered, and cast loose, each number reversing the operations which he performed in lashing; and raising it.