The artillerist's manual and British soldier's compendium

by F. A. Griffiths

MORTARS.

Practical rules.

To find the Charge for a given Range at 45° elevation.

13 inch Mortar.—To the range, in yards, add half the range, multiply the sum by ·03 for the charge, in ounces.

10 inch Mortar.—When the range is under 1350 yards, add to the range 160, and multiply by ·02; and if the range is over 1350 yards, add one-fifth of the range, and multiply by ·02 for the charge, in ounces.

8 inch Mortar.—To the range, in yards, add 20, and the sum multiplied by ·015 will give the charge, in ounces.

5½ inch Mortar.—To the range in yards, add 150, and multiply by ·08, for the charge, in ounces.

4⅖ inch Mortar.—To the range in yards add 300, and multiply by ·06, for the charge, in drams.

To find the Time of flight, the range being given. Divide the square root of the range, in feet, by 4·5 for the time of flight, in seconds.

To find the Range, the Time of flight being given. Multiply the time of flight, in seconds, by 4·5, and square the product for the range, in feet.

To find the length of Fuze,[8] for a given range. Multiply the time of flight, in seconds, by ·22, for the 13, and 10 inch mortars, and by ·24 for 8, 5½, and 4⅖ inch mortars, for the length of fuze, in tenths.

Mortar Practice at 15°, 25°, and 45° Elevation. 1838.
13 INCH IRON.					10 INCH IRON.					8 INCH IRON.
Weight		36 cwt.			Weight		16 cwt. 2 qrs.			Weight		8 cwt. 1 qr.
*Shell filled			200 lb.		Shell filled			92 lb.		Shell filled			46 lb.
Burst. powder			6 lb. 12 oz.		Burst. powder			2 lb. 10 oz.		Burst. powder			1 lb. 14 oz.
Blowing powder			2 oz.		Blowing powder			1½ oz.		Blowing powder			1 oz.
Eleva- tion.	Charge.		Fuze.	Range.	Eleva- tion.	Charge.		Fuze.	Range.	Eleva- tion.	Charge.		Fuze.	Range.
degs.	lb.	oz.	in.	yds.	degs.	lb.	oz.	in.	yds.	degs.	lb.	oz.	in.	yds.
45	2	1½	1·9	450	45	1	½	1·9	450	15		14	·8	500
	2	3	2·	500		1	2	2·	500		1		1·	550
	2	4¾	2·1	550		1	3¼	2·1	550		1	2	1·1	600
	2	6	2·2	600		1	4¾	2·2	600	45		9½	1·9	450
	2	7¾	2·3	650		1	6	2·3	650			10¾	2·	500
	2	9½	2·4	700		1	7½	2·4	700			12½	2·1	550
	2	11¾	2·45	750		1	9	2·45	750			13¾	2·2	600
	2	14	2·5	800		1	10	2·5	800			14½	2·3	650
	3	½	2·55	850		1	11	2·55	850			15½	2·4	700
	3	3	2·6	900		1	12	2·6	900		1		2·45	750
	3	5½	2·65	950		1	13	2·65	950		1	½	2·5	800
	3	8	2·7	1000		1	14	2·7	1000		1	1¼	2·55	850
	3	10	2·75	1050		1	15¼	2·75	1050		1	2	2·6	900
	3	12	2·8	1100		2	½	2·8	1100		1	2¾	2·65	950
	3	14	2·85	1150		2	1¾	2·85	1150		1	3½	2·7	1000
	4		2·9	1200		2	3	2·9	1200		1	4	2·75	1050
	4	5	3·	1300							1	4¾	2·8	1100
	4	15	3·2	1500							1	5¼	2·85	1150
	5	10	3·4	1700							1	6	2·9	1200
* The Shells were filled with sand.

	Part 2 of 2
5½ INCH BRASS.					4⅖ INCH BRASS.
Weight		1 cwt. 1 qr. 10 lb.			Weight		3 qrs. 19 lb.
Shell filled			16 lb.		Shell filled			8 lb.
Burst. powder			10 oz.		Burst. powder			5 oz.
Blowing powder			½ oz.		Blowing powder			½ oz.
Eleva- tion.	Charge.		Fuze.	Range.	Eleva- tion.	Charge.		Fuze.	Range.
degs.	lb.	oz.	in.	yds.	degs.	lb.	oz.	in.	yds.
15	6		·7	350	15	4	8	·8	450
	7		·75	400		4	12	·85	500
	7	8	·8	450	25	4		1·1	540
	8		·85	500
25	5	8	1·1	480
45	4	8		300	45	2	6	1·65	300
	4	12		350		2	9	1·7	350
	5		1·75	400		2	12	1·75	400
	5	4	1·8	450		3		1·8	450
	5	8	1·85	500		3	4	1·85	500
	5	12	1·9	550		3	8	1·9	550
	6		1·95	600		3	12	1·95	600

Greatest Charges, and Ranges.

	lb.	oz.	yds.
13 Inch, Sea	20	0	4200
10 ”	10	8	4000
13 Inch, Land	9	0	2900
10 ”	4	0	2400
8 ”	2	0	2000
5½ ”		9	1200
4⅖ ”		4·5	1000

Distance from the parapet of a battery, the parapet being 8 feet high, for Mortars at the following elevations:—

Elevation	45	30	20	15	10 degrees.
Distance	12	13	21	30	40 feet.

PART V.
STORES, IMPLEMENTS, COMBUSTIBLES, ETC.,
REQUIRED IN BATTERIES.[9]

BALLS, LIGHT.

Light Balls are thrown from mortars at night, to discover the operations of the enemy’s working parties, &c.

Light balls burn from 10 to 20 minutes.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.		lb.	oz.
Saltpetre, pulverized	6	4	Rosin, pounded	1	14
Sulphur, ground	2	8	Linseed oil, boiled	0	7½

BALLS, SMOKE.

Smoke balls are fired from mortars to suffocate the men in mines, &c., or to prevent them continuing their work. They are also used to conceal manœuvres, &c., from an enemy.

Smoke balls burn from 25 to 30 minutes.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.		lb.	oz.
Corned mealed powder	5	0	Swedish pitch	2	0
Saltpetre, pulverized	1	0	Tallow	0	8
Sea coal	1	8

To construct hollow Globes, or Cases for Light Balls, &c.

The canvas, or paper, may be formed in the following manner, viz.:—With radius of half the intended calibre, describe the circle A B C D (vide [Figure 20], Practical Geometry), and divide the same into four equal parts. From B with radius A B describe arc A E, from A with radius A B describe arc B E, and from E with radius E A describe arc A B. Eight pieces, as E A B, will form a ball nearly, the edges being brought close together.

CARCASSES.

Carcasses, a species of shell, are filled with composition, the flame from which is extremely powerful, and nearly unextinguishable. They are much used in bombardments of towns, setting fire to shipping, &c., and are discharged from guns, mortars, and howitzers, similarly to common shells; from which, however, they differ, in being made thicker, to enable them to withstand the intensity of fire; and in having three fuze holes instead of one.

Carcasses burn from 8 to 10 minutes.

Common shells may be made to produce effects similar to carcasses, by filling them with a proportion of Valenciennes composition, and bursting powder.

All carcasses have three holes; and, from guns and howitzers, are fired with sabots.

Carcass Composition.			Valenciennes Composition.
	lb.	oz.		lb.	oz.
Saltpetre, pulverized	6	4	Saltpetre, pulverized	6	4
Sulphur, sublimated	2	8	Sulphur, sublimated	2	8
Rosin, pounded	1	14	Rosin, pounded	1	4
Antimony, pounded	0	10	Antimony, pounded	0	10
Tallow	0	10	Linseed oil, 6 oz. 14 drams.
Turpentine	0	10

Weight, and Dimensions of Carcasses.
Nature of Carcass. Land Service.	Exterior Diameter.	Weight, empty.		Weight, filled.
	inches.	lb.	oz.	lb.	oz.
13 Inch	12·84	220	0	234	8
10 Inch	9·84	97	0	104	0
8 Inch	7·86	52	4	57	0
5½ Inch	5·59	15	8	17	1
4⅖ Inch	4·45	8	4	9	1
42 Pr.	6·85	28	14	30	10
32 Pr.	6·1	23	3½	24	8
24 Pr.	5·54	15	6	16	9½
18 Pr.	5·04	13	12	14	7½
12 Pr.	4·4	8	6	8	13

CARTRIDGES FOR GUNS, HOWITZERS, ETC.
Nature of Ordnance.			Charge of powder.	Dimensions.
				Length.	Circumference.
					Superior.	Inferior.
GUNS, IRON.			lb. oz.	ft. in.	ft. in.	ft. in.
	68 Pounder		18	1 8·6	1	1
	56		20	1 10·	1 3·	1 3·
	”		16	1 10·	1	1
	”		14	1 10·	11·3	11·3
	”		10	1 10·	9·	9·
	”		6	1 10·	7·2	7·2
	42		14	1 11·1	1 9·4	1 9·4
	32		10	1 9·8	1 7·9	1 7·9
	24		8	1 6·3	1 5·6	1 5·6
	18		6	1 7·	1 4·5	1 4·5
	12		4	1 4·5	1 2·5	1 2·5
	9		3	1 2·2	1 1·	1 1·
	6		2	1 1·1	1 1·5	1 1·5
	12 Inch		12	1 6·5	1 6·5	1 2·
	10		12	1 5·5	1 3·	1
	8		10	1 7·	1 1·5	10·
GUNS, BRASS.
	12 Pr.	{Medium	4	1 4·5	1 2·5	1 2·5
		{Light	3	1 1·5	1 2·5	1 2·5
	9		2 8	1 1·1	1 1·	1 1·
	6	{Heavy	2	1 2·2	11·5	11·5
		{Light	1 8	11·2	11·5	11·5
	3	{Heavy	1	9·7	9·	9·
		{Light	12	9·	9·	9·
HOWITZERS.
	Iron.	{10 Inch	7	1 1·8	1 3·8	9·7
		{ 8	4	1 1·7	1 1·2	7·
	Brass.	{24 Pr.	2 8	1 0·2	10·	6·3
		{12	1 4	10·8	8·5	5·8
		{ 5½ inch	2	10·3	5·9	3·8
		{ 4⅖	8	7·6	5·	3·
CARRONADES.
	68 Pr.		5 10	1 8·3	1 9·	1 9·
	42		3 8	1 5·	1 7·1	1 7·1
	32		2 10	1 6·	1 5·5	l 5·5
	24		2	11·	1 3·9	1 3·9
	18		1 8	10·	1 1·8	1 1·8
	12		1	8·8	1 1·2	1 1·2
	6		12	7·5	10·1	10·1

When the circumference of the Cartridge is not uniform, each Cartridge is made of two pieces, and the dimensions given are for one piece only.

FUZES, OLD PATTERN.

The wooden cases for holding the Fuze composition are made of well-seasoned beech. The interior diameter of the cup is equal to three times that of the bore, and its depth is equal to 1½ of the said diameter. The thickness of wood at the bottom of the bore is equal to two diameters.

Fuze composition.			Blind fire for Night.
	lb.	oz.		lb.
Saltpetre, pulverized	3	4	Mealed powder	16½
Sulphur, sublimated	1	0	Wood ashes	9½
Pit-mealed powder	2	12

Fuzes, being bored for Field guns, or cut to the length required for the range of Garrison guns, are made to fit the Shell correctly by means of a rasp and cutter; after which they are carefully driven into the Shell with a mallet and setter, leaving only the cup of the Fuze out of it. The Fuze is uncapped when placed in the piece.

13 inch Fuze burns 40 Seconds.					5½ inch Fuze burns 20 Seconds.
10	do.	do.	35	do.	4	do.	do.	15	do.
8	do.	do.	30	do.

All natures of Fuzes, when driven with the above composition, burn one inch in five seconds; but when driven with mealed powder, they burn two inches in the same time.

BOXER’S FUZE.

The composition bore is made excentric with regard to the exterior, and two powder channels are bored upon that side in which there is the greatest thickness of wood. A hole is bored through the mealed powder at the top, and into the fuze composition, to insure the ignition of the fuze composition from the priming. Two rows of holes, two inches apart, are made into the powder channels, and the bottom hole in each row is continued to the axis of the composition bore. The small side holes, with the exception of the bottom ones, are filled with pressed powder, and a small portion of clay. The powder channels contain rifle powder, and the bottom side holes have a piece of quick match placed in them. Beyond this quick match, the powder channels in the fuze for common shells are filled with putty; but in the Shrapnell fuze the corresponding portion contains quick match, which is continued from one channel to the other through a groove made in the bottom. A piece of quick match is tied into the cup, and it is recommended that this quick match is laid over the side before the shell is set home. The bursting powder is contained in a tin cylinder,[10] and is admitted through a hole at the bottom of the socket. There is a small hole in the side of the shell, through which the balls, and composition, which is run between them, are admitted. It is recommended that the bursting powder be placed in the tin cylinder before going into action, and the plug covered with serge, inserted in the fuze hole. The bursting powder can be speedily removed from the shell, if necessary; and, from its being separated from the balls, it will not be liable to injury, even when subjected to the action of travelling.

A simple boring-bit is supplied to each gun, in case the borer, specially made for the fuze, is lost, or damaged.

Captain Boxer’s 5½ inch fuzes are to be adopted for all natures of guns and howitzers, one inch in length for Shrapnell shells, and two inches in length for common shells.

FUZES, METAL.

Fuzes, for the Naval service specially, are formed of gun metal, and are screwed into a gun metal bouched screw hole in the shell.

Metal fuzes are of three natures, viz., 3-inch, 4-inch, and short-range Fuzes. The first is driven with mealed powder, and will burn seven seconds; the second is driven with fuze composition, and will burn twenty seconds; and the short-range fuze is also driven with the composition, and will burn two seconds. These fuzes are driven and primed precisely the same as wooden fuzes; but instead of being capped with canvas, have a screw metal cap.

The fuzes are screwed into the shells, the holes of which are bouched with metal to receive them; they are screwed into the left hand, so that unscrewing the cap in the same direction prevents the possibility of the fuze being loosened by that operation.

The diameter of the fuze holes for all natures of shells, fitted to receive metal fuzes, is exactly the same.

A 3-inch metal fuze will burn seven seconds, and is calculated for ranges not exceeding 1,900 yards. A 4-inch metal fuze will burn ten seconds, and is not to be used at a greater distance than 2,400 yards.

Bickford’s Water Fuze, which burns about two or three feet in a minute, may be advantageously used for exploding gunpowder under water, for the destruction of booms, vessels, &c.

GREASE.

The composition used for greasing wheels is composed of equal parts of tallow and coarse sweet oil melted together, and it is made up in kegs of 28 lb. each. In warm weather the proportion of tallow must be increased.

GRENADES, HAND.

A Land service Hand grenade weighs 1 lb. 13 oz., and may be thrown from 40 to 60 feet. The diameter of the Fuze composition is ·2 of an inch, length 2·25 inches, and weight 3 drams.

Fuze Composition.

Saltpetre, 3 lb. 4 oz.; Sulphur, 1 lb.; Mealed powder, 2 lb. 12 oz.

On service the Grenades are charged with 1½ oz. of powder.

GUN COTTON.

Although there appears no prospect of Gun cotton being used in the British service as a substitute for gunpowder, it is advisable that every Artillerist should be cognizant of its merits and demerits; for circumstances may arise when this new impulsive power may be advantageously employed. The exploding cotton is thus prepared:—Common well-cleaned cotton is dipped for about half a minute in highly-concentrated nitric acid (made by the distillation of ten parts of dried saltpetre, and six of oil of vitriol), and then instantly placed in water, which must be often renewed, in order to free the cotton from the acid with which it is impregnated. Care must then be taken that all the knotty particles of the cotton are properly disentangled, and that it is thoroughly dried. After the explosive preparation is ready for use, the smallest portion explodes when struck on an anvil with a hammer, like fulminating-powder; when kindled with a glowing body, it takes fire just like gunpowder; and, when used in a gun, its operation, though in a far greater proportion to its weight, is similar to that of gunpowder. Gun cotton is employed in the same manner as gunpowder: a piece of it is rammed down the barrel, then a bit of wadding, and after that a ball; a copper cap ignites and explodes the cotton.

To Dr. Otto, professor of chemistry in Brunswick, we are indebted for the foregoing description of the preparation of the explosive cotton; and the intrinsic value of this impulsive agent has been ascertained by Colonel Mordecai, at Washington, in 1845, 1847, 1848. The following are the results of this scientific officer’s experiments for the purpose of determining the fitness of Gun cotton, as a substitute for gunpowder in the military service:—

1. Explosive cotton burns at 380° Fahrenheit, therefore it will not set fire to gunpowder when burnt in a loose state over it.

2. The projectile force of explosive cotton, with moderate charges, in a musket or cannon, is equal to that of about twice its weight of the best gunpowder.

3. When compressed by hard ramming, as in filling a fuze, it burns slowly.

4. By the absorption of moisture, its force is rapidly diminished, but the force is restored by drying.

5. Its bursting effect is much greater than that of gunpowder, on which account it is well adapted for mining operations.

6. The principal residua of its combustion are water and nitrous acid; therefore the barrel of a gun would be soon corroded, if not cleaned after firing.

7. In consequence of the quickness and intensity of its action, when ignited, it cannot be used with safety in the present fire-arms.

8. An accident on service, such as the insertion of two charges before firing, would cause the bursting of the barrel; and it is probable that the like effect would take place with the regular service charges, if several times repeated.

GUNPOWDER.

The component parts of Powder are 75 parts of nitre, 10 of sulphur, and 15 of charcoal.

Cylinder powder is made from charcoal that has been burnt in iron cylinders; and Pit powder from charcoal burnt in common pits.

Gunpowder, when ignited, expands with a velocity of about 5,000 feet per second; and the pressure of the fluid is about 2,000 times that of common air.

One pound of Powder measures 32 solid inches.

A cubic foot of Government powder weighs about 58 pounds.

Gunpowder is manufactured by reducing the nitre, sulphur, and charcoal to powder; they are then mixed, moistened with water, and again mixed in a mill for five or six hours, or until the mixture is as intimate as possible, for upon this the strength of the powder chiefly depends.

When taken from the mill, the composition is put in a press, and formed into hard cakes about a quarter of an inch thick; these, when dry, or nearly so, are broken by wooden mallets into small pieces, and reduced into grains by being put into sieves, and forced by means of a wooden roller through circular holes of the proper diameter.

Good powder should be devoid of smell, and of uniform colour, approaching to that of a slate. The particles should be perfectly granulated, and free from cohesion. It should admit of being readily poured from one vessel to another.

In powder that has become damp, large lumps are formed: should the damage, however, not be very considerable, these concretions may be reduced by drying the powder in a hot-air stove, rubbing and loosening the grains; but powder thus affected never thoroughly regains its lost strength.

To test the purity of powder.—Lay a dram of it on a piece of clean writing-paper, and fire the heap by means of a red-hot iron wire: if the flame ascend quickly with a good report, leaving the paper free from white specks, and without burning holes in it, the goodness of the ingredients and proper manufacture of the powder may be safely inferred.

Good powder blasted upon a clean plate of copper should leave no track or mark of foulness.

Powder exposed for 17 or 18 days to the influence of the atmosphere ought not to increase materially in weight. One hundred pounds of powder should not absorb more than twelve ounces: if it increase in weight more than one per cent., the powder should be condemned.

Proof of Gunpowder.

To prove the strength of large grain or common powder, 2 ounces are fired from 8-inch Gomer mortars (at an angle of 45°), placed on stone beds, and so fixed as not to recoil. These mortars are loaded with shot weighing 68 pounds, and the average of the ranges, with Government powder of Waltham Abbey, is 250 feet. Powder made of common pit charcoal will only project such a ball, under the same circumstances, about 220 feet; and powder that has been re-stoved will only produce a range of from 107 to 117 feet.

A musket, charged with two drams of fine grained or musket powder, should drive a steel bullet through 15 or 16 half-inch elm boards, placed three quarters of an inch from each other, the first board being set at 40 inches from the muzzle of the musket: with re-stoved powder, the bullet will only perforate from 9 to 12 of the boards.

The quality of large grain powder is ascertained by its general appearance, its firmness, glazing, uniformity of grain, and density.

POWDER MARKS.

The various sorts of Powder are distinguished by the following marks on the heads of the barrels:—

L G	Large grain.
F G	Fine grain.
R A	For rifle arms.
L G	Large grain.
F G	Fine grain.
R S	Re-stoved.

Red L G, or F G, denotes powder of the best quality. White L G, or F G, is an inferior Powder for salutes, &c.

POWDER MAGAZINES.

To ascertain if a Magazine is damp.—Soak a piece of sponge in a solution of salt of tartar, or common salt and water: let it be well dried and weighed, and then be placed in the magazine, which, if damp, will cause the sponge to become heavier.

A small weight, suspended by a piece of catgut, or hair, will also discover moisture, causing the former to contract and the latter to lengthen.

POWDER BARRELS.

Whole Barrels contain 100 lb., and Half Barrels 50 lb., of powder, whether fine or coarse.

Dimensions of Powder barrels.

	Whole barrels. inches.	Half barrels. inches.	Quarter barrels. inches.
Depth	20½	16¾	14
Diameter at top	15½	12¼	9½
Do. at bulge	16¾	13¼	10¼
Do. at bottom	15½	12¼	9½

BUDGE BARRELS.

Weight of Barrel, copper-hooped, 10 lb., hazel-hooped, 6 lb.

Length of	barrel	10½	inches	}	each barrel will contain 38 lb.
Diameter	”	13	”	}

BOXES TO CONTAIN POWDER, CORRESPONDING TO THE BARRELS.

External dimensions.	Whole boxes. inches.	Half boxes. inches.	Quarter boxes. inches.
Length	16¾	13¼	10¼
Breadth	16¾	13¼	10¼
Depth	20½	16¾	14

These boxes are lined with copper, tinned.

HANDBARROWS.

Length, 5 ft. 3 in. Breadth, 2 ft. Weight, 19 lb.

HANDSPIKES.

Length, 5 ft. Diameter at top, 1·25; Diameter at bottom, 2·75 inches. Length of square, 1 foot 9 inches. Weight of ten, 64 lb.

There is a larger kind, 6 feet in length; weight of ten, 100 lb.

LEVERS.

	ft. in.			lb.
Iron shod, length	4	0	Weight of 5	36
Common	6	6	Do.	54

LIGHTS, BLUE.

Blue lights are used for signals, &c., and will burn half a minute.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.
Saltpetre, ground	1	12
Sulphur, sublimated	0	7
Red orpiment	0	2

LIGHTS, LONG (BOXER’S).

The paper case is 10 inches long, 6 inches of which are filled with composition; one end is left open to fix on a wooden holder; the other end is fitted with a nipple, on which a percussion cap is to be placed. By giving the cap a smart blow on some hard substance, it ignites the composition, which will burn for six minutes.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.
Saltpetre, ground	7	0
Sulphur, sublimated	1	12
Red orpiment	0	8

LIGHTS, LONG (OR STEVENS’).

The composition is similar to that for blue lights. The cases are made of brown paper, and are of the same diameter as the one-pound signal rocket. The case is cut to the length of 9·75 inches, one end being perforated at an inch from the bottom to allow a wooden pin to pass through it, for the purpose of attaching the handle to the case.

Two coats of paint are given to the cases.

A long light will burn five minutes.

LIGHTS, SIGNAL (BOXER’S)

This is similar to the Light, long, but has only one inch of composition.

MATCH, QUICK.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.
Cotton wick	2	2	Gunpowder	12 lb.
Gum arabic	0	8	Water	4 quarts.

Four pounds of the gunpowder are mixed into a thin paste with a portion of the gum-water boiling, in this the cotton is then immersed. Six pounds of gunpowder made into a stiff paste, with the remainder of the gum-water, is spread on the top of the match, which is afterwards reeled off, the remaining two pounds of powder being sifted on the match while on the reel, and some of the stiff paste being held in the hand through which the match passes.

MATCH, SLOW.

Slow match is prepared from slightly-twisted hemp rope, which is dipped in a solution of lime water and saltpetre.

One yard burns about three hours. One skein, 35 yards, weighs seven pounds.

During the Siege of Gibraltar, Slow match was thus made:—Eight ounces of saltpetre were put in a gallon of water, and just made to boil over a slow fire, strong blue paper was then wetted with the liquor, and hung to dry. When dry, each sheet was divided into two parts, which were rolled up tight, and the outward edges pasted down. Each half sheet would burn three hours.

French slow match is made by soaking light twisted white rope in a solution of one pint of rain water, and three quarters of an ounce of sugar of lead.

PARACHUTE, LIGHT BALL (BOXER’S).

This light ball consists of a paper shell, enclosing two tin hemispheres, one containing the composition, the other the parachute. The shell is fired from a mortar, having a fuze, fixed in the usual manner, which communicates with the bursting powder, opens the shell, and lights the composition in the hemisphere attached to the parachute, which, suspended in the air, renders conspicuous the objects required to be illuminated.

Composition.
	lbs.	oz.
Saltpetre, ground	7	0
Sulphur, sublimated	1	12
Red orpiment	0	8

PENDULUMS.

A Pendulum is readily made with a musket ball, and a piece of silk. The length of a Pendulum is measured from the centre of the ball to the end of the loop on which it swings.

	{ 1 Seconds	39·14	inches
Length of Pendulums to vibrate	{ ½ Seconds	9·8	”
	{ ¼ Seconds	2·45	”

To find the length of a pendulum to make a given number of vibrations.

Rule.—As the square of the given number of vibrations is to the square of 60, so is the length of the standard (39·14 length for one second) to the length sought.

Or, multiply 39·14 by the square of the time required for the Pendulum to vibrate—viz., by the square of ½ = ¼, for ½ second; and by the square of 2 = 4 for two seconds.

To find the number of vibrations, the length of pendulum being given.

Rule.—Multiply 60 seconds by the square root of 39·14, divided by the length of the given pendulum.

Or say, As the given length is to the standard length, so is the square of 60 (its vibrations per minute) to the square of the number required.

PORTFIRES.

Portfires are of four different natures—viz., Common portfires, Percussion portfires, Miners’ portfires, and Slow portfires.

A common portfire is 16 inches long, and will burn 15 minutes.

Composition.
	lb.
Brimstone, sublimed	2
Powder, cylinder mealed	1
Saltpetre, pulverized	6

PORTFIRES, PERCUSSION.

Composition.
Brimstone, sublimed	4
Powder, cylinder mealed	1
Saltpetre, pulverized	8

The percussion priming is added to these portfires at the stations where they are used (principally for the Coast Guard), and is simply a small glass globule, containing sulphuric acid. This is embedded in loose composition, which ignites on the globule being broken. A percussion portfire will burn 5 minutes.

PORTFIRES, MINERS.

Composition.
	lb.	oz.
Saltpetre, pulverized	0	8
Sulphur, sublimed	0	8
Powder, cylinder mealed	1	0

PORTFIRES, SLOW.

The paper, which is called blue sugar-loaf paper, is wetted by dissolving 12 ounces of saltpetre in one gallon of water, wetting each sheet separately on both sides with a brush, one side being dried before the other is made wet.

Slow portfires burn from three to four hours.

Portfires were made during the Siege of Gibraltar in the following manner: Two ounces of nitre were dissolved in a gallon of water, and sheets of soft brown paper dipped in the solution; these, when dry, were rolled up to about the size of common portfires.

Portfires may be made by boiling square rods of lime, birch, or poplar, in a solution of nitrate of lead for six hours (a quart of water to every pound of the nitrate); the matches are then dried, and afterwards boiled in spirits of turpentine; they are then wiped and dried. A yard of this match will burn three hours.

COAST GUARD PORTFIRES.

Composition.

Saltpetre 8 lb. Sulphur 4 lb. Cylinder mealed powder 1 lb.

QUOINS.

Nature.	Length.		Width.	Thickness.
	ft.	in.	inches.	inches.
42 Pr.	2	3	10·75	6·75
32 ”	2	3	10·75	6·75
24 ”	2	9	9·5	6·75
18 ”	2	9	9·5	6·75
12 ”	1	11	9·25	6·25
9 ”	1	11	9·15	6·

ROCKETS.

There are two descriptions of Rockets:—

1st.—Signal Rockets. 2nd.—Congreve Rockets. (Vide [Part VI].)

SIGNAL ROCKETS.

Signal rockets are of two natures—viz., 1 lb. and ½ lb. Rockets. They are fired from a tube, the ignition being effected by means of a percussion tube.

Composition.
	lb.
Saltpetre, pulverized	4
Sulphur, sublimed	1
Dog-wood charcoal	1½

Composition for Stars of Rockets.
	lb.
Saltpetre, pulverized	8	Isinglass	3 oz. 8 drs.
Antimony, pounded	2	Vinegar	1 quart.
Cylinder mealed powder	1	Spirits of Wine	1 pint.
Sulphur, sublimed	2

The head of a 1 lb. rocket contains 36 stars, and that of the ½ lb. rocket 24 stars.

SHELLS.

Shells are hollow iron Shot, and are of various descriptions, viz.:—

1st.—The Common shell, with one fuze hole, used in the attack and defence of fortresses, &c., against shipping, and troops.

2nd.—The Carcass, which has three fuze holes, is filled with burning composition, and is used to set fire to towns, &c.

3rd.—The Compound-shot, which is filled with lead to increase the impetus of the shot, and the extent of the range.

4th.—The Shrapnell shell, which is very destructive when used against bodies of Cavalry or Infantry, as it produces the same effect as common Case or Canister shot from guns or howitzers, but at a much greater range.[11]

Diameter and thickness of each Shell now in the Service.
Nature of Shell.		Mean Diameter.	Thickness.	Bursting Powder.
		inches.	inches.	lb.	oz.	dr.
	{ 13 Inch	12·84	2·146	6	8
	{ 10 ”	9·84	1·646	5	8
Common	{ 8 ”	7·86	1·39	2	4
	{ 5½ ”	5·595	0·936	0	10
	{ 4⅖ ”	4·454	0·746	0	5
	{ 32 Pr.	6·177	1·034	1	0
	{ 10 Inch	9·85	1·35	5	8
Naval	{ 8 ”	7·925	1·35	2	4
	{ 32 Pr.	6·177	1·034	1	0
	{ 8 Inch	7·86	0·82		10
	{ 32 Pr.	6·177	0·64		6
	{ 24 ”	5·595	0·58		3
Shrapnell	{ 18 ”	5·099	0·53
Diaphragm	{ 12 ”	4·454	0·477		1	12
	{ 9 ”	4·08	0·41		1	8
	{ 6 ”	3·55	0·356	0	0	12

All shells are now issued in the Field Service, loaded, and secured with a metal plug.

SHOT, CASE OR CANISTER.

The common Case or Canister shot consists of a number of balls packed in tin canisters of a cylindrical form: the balls being of different weights according to the size of the gun. For field service the balls are counted into the case, and laid in tiers, but for other purposes they are loosely thrown in till the case is filled. The top being soldered on, the bottom of the tin case is nailed on to the wooden bottom, and the heads of the nails are soldered. These shot should seldom be used at a greater distance than 300 yards, and even at that range they scatter so much as to be nearly unserviceable; but at from 100 to 200 yards they are very destructive.

SHOT, COMMON CASE, OR CANISTER.
Nature of Ordnance.		Weight of ball.	Number in each case.	Weight of case filled.
		lb. oz.		lb.	oz.	dr.
IRON GUNS.	10 Inch* {	1	34	}82	7
		13⅛	50
	8 Inch*	8	90	48	12
	8 Inch*	8	90	48	12
	68 Pr.*	8	90	50	4
	56 Pr.*	1	50	52	11
	42 Pr.†	8	85	45	15
	32 Pr.†	8	66	34	13
	24 Pr.†	8	46	10	7
	18 Pr.†	6	46	10	7
	12 Pr.†	4	46	12	2
	9 Pr.†	3	44	9	11
	6 Pr.†	2	40	5	10
	3 Pr.†	1½	34	3	9	8
BRASS GUNS.	12 Pr.‡	2	126	17	4
	‡	6½	41	16	14
	9 Pr.‡	1½	126	12	15
	‡	5	41	13	2	8
	6 Pr.‡	1½	85	8	13
	‡	3¼	41	8	15	8
	3 Pr.‡	1½	41	4	3	8
HOWITZERS.	10 Inch*	8	170	85	6
	8 Inch*	2	258	35	15	8
	5½ Inch†	2	100	14	11	8
	4⅖ Inch†	2	55	7	14	8
	24 Pr.*	2	140	19	0	8
	12 Pr.*	2	84	11	9
CARRONADES.	68 Pr.†	8	90	47	5	8
	42 Pr.†	8	66	33	11
	32 Pr.†	8	40	20	13
	24 Pr.†	8	32	16	12	8
	18 Pr.†	6	31	12	14
	12 Pr.†	4	32	8	3	8
	9 Pr.†	3	30	6	7	8
	6 Pr.†	2	30	4	9
* Iron Tampeon. † Wood Tampeon. ‡ Tier Shot.

SHOT, GRAPE.
Nature of Ordnance.		Weight of ball.	Number in each case.	Weight of Grapeshot.
		lb. oz.		lb.	oz.	dr.
GUNS.	10 Inch	3	24	81
Shot Quilted.	68 Pr.	} 3	15	50	7
	8 Inch
	56 Pr.	4	12	56	14
	42 Pr.	4	9	41	6
	32 Pr.	3	9	29	11
	24 Pr.	2	9	20	10
	18 Pr.	1 8	9	16	12
	12 Pr.	1	9	11	2
	9 Pr.	13⅛	9	8	12
	6 Pr.	8	9	8	7
	3 Pr.	8	9	2	9
CARRONADES.	68 Pr.	3	15	52	8
Tin Case Shot.†	42 Pr.	4	9	37	15
	32 Pr.	3	9	30	6
	24 Pr.	2	9	20	9
	18 Pr.	1 8	9	15	10
	12 Pr.	1	9	11	0	8
	9 Pr.	13⅛	9	9	1
	6 Pr.	8	9	5	2
† Wood Tampeon.

STOOL BEDS.

NATURE.			BEDS.		BLOCKS.
	Length.	Breadth.	Thickness.	Length.	Breadth.	Depth.
	ft.	in.	in.	ft. in.	in.	in.
42 Pr.	2·91	11	4·5	1 5	4·75	9
32 ”	2·91	10	4·25	1 5	4·75	9
24 ”	2·83	10	4·25	1 4	4·5	8
18 ”	2·85	9·5	4·25	1 3	4·5	8
12 ”	2·85	9·5	4	1 3	4·5	8
9 ”	2·85	9·5	4	1 1	4·5	8

TUBES.

Tubes are of five different natures—viz., Common quill, and Dutch or Paper tubes for exercise, and Detonating quill, and Brass tubes; and Friction tubes for service.

All tubes are gauged to two-tenths of an inch diameter.

The pipes for the Quill tubes are 2½ inches long; and the barrels of Dutch tubes are 1¾ inch in length.[12]

Composition for Common tubes.

Mealed powder, mixed with spirits of wine into a stiff paste.

DETONATING TUBES.

The quills of these tubes are cut to 2¾ inches in length. Small, or pigeon quills, are also prepared for the arms to receive the detonating composition; these are cut to ¾ of an inch in length; and a small hole is bored in the centre to communicate the composition to the body of the tube. The body of the tube is filled precisely in the same way as common tubes.

Composition for the Crosses, or Arms, of Detonating tubes.

	grains.
Chlorate of potassa	230
Antimony	230
Glass, finely pounded	73

Brass tubes, common, are 3 inches long, and the cups, previous to being stamped, are one inch in diameter.

They are filled similarly to common quill tubes.

FRICTION TUBES.

These tubes are of copper, and are three inches in length. The detonating composition is inserted in a tin arm, into which is introduced and pressed down tight, by the sides of the aim, a piece of copper, grooved; with a small ring to receive the cord for firing the tube, and gun.

WADMILTILT.

Length, 14 ft. 6 in. Breadth, 11 ft. 6 in. Weight, 50 lb.

WOODEN BOTTOMS.

They are riveted to shot for brass guns to prevent the bore being indented in front of the seat of the shot by the first impulse of the powder: and to Shells, to keep the fuze in the centre of the bore.

PART VI.
FIELD BATTERY EXERCISE.[13]

STANDING DRILL.

Section. 1. Telling off the Detachments.[14]

Section 2. Posts of the Detachment.

Art. 1.—In Action.

No. 1. At the handspike.

Nos. 2, 3. Outside the wheels: with Howitzers rather in rear of the muzzle; with Guns in line with the front of the wheels.

Nos. 4, 5. In line with the breech.

No. 6. Five yards in rear of the left wheel.

No. 7. In rear of the Limber.

No. 8. Ten yards in rear of No. 6.

No. 9. Four yards in rear of the Limber.

Art. 2.—In Order of March.

No. 1. On the off-side at the wheel horses’ heads.

Nos. 2, 3. In line with the muzzle.

Nos. 4, 5. In line with the breech.

Nos. 6, 7. In line with the axletree of the Limber.

Nos. 8, 9. In line with the splinter bar.

Art. 3.—In Front.

In line, ten yards in front of the leading horses.

Art. 4.—In Rear.

In line, two yards in rear of the muzzle of the Gun.

Art. 5.—In line with the gun axletree, one yard to the right or left of the wheel.

Art. 6.—Mounted.

No. 1. On the right.	} On the Gun limber.
No. 6. On the left.
No. 3. On the right.	} On the Waggon limber.
No. 2. On the left.
No. 3. On the right.	} On the front of the Waggon body.
No. 2. On the left.
No. 7. On the right.	} On the rear of the Waggon body.
No. 8. On the left.
When there are 9 men, No. 9 between Nos. 5 and 4.

Section 3. Change of Position of Detachments.

1. Form the order of March.	Nos. 1. Right face. Double march.
2. Form the order of March.	Nos. 1. Left face. Double march.
3. Detachments rear.	Nos. 1. Right about face. Double march. Halt. Front.
4. Detachments front.	Nos. 1. Double march. Halt.
5. Detachments right.	Nos. 1. Right (or left) face. Double march, front turn. Halt.
6. Detachments rear.	Nos. 1. Right about face. Double march. Halt, front.
7. Detachments front.	Nos. 1. Double march. Halt. Front.

Section 4. Detail of Duties in the service of Ordnance.

No. 1 Commands, and lays the Gun.

No. 2 Sponges.

No. 3 Loads, and serves ammunition.

No. 4 Serves the vent, and primes. After the discharge he clears the vent with the drift, previous to reloading.

No. 5 Fires.[15]

No. 6 Serves ammunition.

No. 7 Attends the Limber, and serves ammunition to No. 8.

No. 8 Assists No. 7.

No. 9 Attends the ammunition Waggon.

CHANGING ROUND.

No. 2	becomes	No. 4.		No. 8	becomes	No. 6.
No. 4	”	No. 9.		No. 6	”	No. 1.
				No. 1	”	No. 5.
No. 9	”	No. 7.		No. 5	”	No. 3.
No. 7	”	No. 8.		No. 3	”	No. 2.

Exercise, with Reduced Numbers.
Nos. Retained.	Distribution of duties.
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1, 2	1, 4, 5	2, 3, 6
1, 2, 3	4, 5	2	3, 6
1, 2, 3, 4	1	2	3, 6	4, 5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5	1	2	3, 6	4	5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6	1	2	3	4	5	6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

DISTANCES REQUIRED

for a Battery of 6 Guns (4 horses to each Carriage).
In Line, from muzzle to muzzle		15	yards.
In Column of Route		177	”
”	Sub-divisions	87	”
”	Divisions	87	”
”	Half battery	72	”

A Gun, or Waggon, with 4 Horses covers 11 yards of ground, from front to rear.

For every additional pair of Horses 4 yards should be added.

A Battery of 6 Guns, when limbered up at full intervals, occupies from

Right to left 78 yards.
Front to rear 26 yards.

On each flank, 22 additional yards should be allowed.

A battery of 6 Guns, when unlimbered for Action, at full intervals, occupies from

Right to left 78 yards.
Front to rear 37 yards.

The space required for reversing a Gun with 4 Horses is 9 yards, and for a Waggon about 8 yards.

Elevation of a 9 P^R Brass Field Carriage.

NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL PARTS OF A FIELD GUN CARRIAGE.

A Block, or Trail.	J Tire, or Streak.	g Portfire clipper.	q Handspike shoe.
B Cheeks, or Brackets.	K Rivets.	h Locking plate.	r Handspike pin.
C Axletree.	L Tire, or Streak bolts.	i Trail plate bolt.	s Handspike ring.
D Ogee.	a Eye, or Capsquare bolts.	k Trail plate.	t Axletree arms.
E Trunnion holes.	b Capsquares.	l Trail plate eye.	u Dragwashers.
F Wheel.	c Axletree bands.	m Chain eye bolt.	v Nave hoops.
G Felly.	d Bracket bolts.	n Locking chain.	w Elevating screw.
H Spokes.	e Transom bolts.	o Breast, or advancing chain.	x Handles of elevating screw.
I Nave.	f Trunnion plates.	p Trail handles.	y Elevating screw box.

Plan of a 9 P^R Brass Field Carriage.

Section 5. Method of performing the duties of serving ordnance.

Section 6. Ranges.

Section 7. Method of laying a piece of ordnance.

Section 8. Limbering up.

Front (rear, right, or left) limber up. | Halt: Limber up.

Section 9. Unlimbering, or coming into action.

To the front, rear, right or left. The reverse of limbering up.

Section 10. Moving with the Prolonge.

Prepare to retreat with the prolonge.	Nos. 1
The battery will retire.	Right about face.
Halt.	Front.
Unhook Prolonge.
Prepare to advance with the prolonge.	Nos. 3
Action.	Drive on.

Section 11. Mounting field ordnance, with the materials belonging to the battery.

Section 12. Dismounting field ordnance, with the materials belonging to the battery.

Section 13. Shifting shafts.

Section 14. Disengaging a shaft horse, when he falls, or is disabled in action.

Section 15. Changing wheels, when the lifting jack is not at hand.

Section 16. Shifting the medium 12 pounder.

Section 17. To remove disabled field artillery.

Section 18. Exercise with Drag-ropes.

1. A light 6 pounder with its limber requires 15 men, six of whom are told off entirely for the drag-ropes, the other men at the gun also assisting in manning them: No. 9 is always in the shafts, and No. 8 at the point of the shaft, near side. A 9 pounder requires additional men, and a double set of drag-ropes.

2. The drag-rope men are numbered off from 10 upward. Nos. 10, 12, 14, are with the left drag-rope; 11, 13, 15, with the right; 10, 11, carry the drag-ropes.

3. The gun being limbered up, and the detachment and drag-rope men in the order of march, at the word “Hook on,” Nos. 8 and 9 get into their places; 10 and 11 move outside the gun detachments to the rear, and hook on to the gun drag-washers, passing the end of the drag-ropes at once to the front.

The Nos. then man the drag-ropes as follows:—Nos. 10 and 11 outside, close to the drag-washer; 2, 12, 3, and 13 the centre of the drag-rope; 4, 14, 5, and 15 the front; 6 and 7 the ends. The gun detachments inside, and the drag-rope men outside. No. 1 at the point of the shafts, off-side. At the word “Unhook,” Nos. 10 and 11 unhook, coil up the drag-ropes; and the whole then form the order of march.

4. At the word “Action,” whether to the “FRONT,” “REAR,” “RIGHT,” or “LEFT,” the drag-ropes are at once quitted; Nos. 10 and 11 unhook, and coil them up; and the whole of the drag-rope men retire with the limber, forming in front of it two deep, as they were numbered off. In limbering up, the drag-rope men form the order of march, and wait for the word to hook on.