MANUAL EXERCISE.
(RIGHT GUN.)
II. "SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
421. Gun Captain serves, then stops the Vent. No. 3 passes to left of muzzle. No. 4 receives the moist Sponge-head from 6, and, assisted by 3, enters it in the Bore and forces it down as far as the first section. No. 6 passes the successive sections of the staff to 4 as needed, and receives them from him as the sponge is withdrawn.
After the sponge is withdrawn, Captain serves the Vent with his priming-wire, and again closes it.
III. "LOAD!"
422. No. 4 receives Cartridge from 5, to whom the box has been passed by 13, assisted by 3, enters it in the Bore; receives Rammer-head and successive sections from 6, and, assisted by 3, rams home. Nos. 3 and 4 fall back from the muzzle. Gun Captain serves the Vent to feel if the Charge is home.
Nos. 3 and 4 return the rammer.
Nos. 7 and 8, 11 and 12 whip up Shot (or shell), as has been previously ordered. Nos. 11 and 12 choke luff of whip. Nos. 7 and 8 run shot (or shell) to the muzzle. No. 5, assisted, if necessary, by No. 6, bears over, when 3 and 4 enter and ram home by sections.
No. 4 removes Patches and passes them to 7, who hands them to Gun Captain.
IV. "PRIME!"
423. Gun Captain again makes sure that the Vent is clear. No. 2 primes with priming-powder from a flask or a blank musket-cartridge.
V. "ELEVATE!" (OR DEPRESS).
(Always done before running out.)
424. No. 2 handles lever of Elevating screw under the direction of the Officer of the piece, who sets the trunnion-sight at the proper degree of elevation and clamps it there. When the bubble of the trunnion-level is in the centre,—"Well."
Nos. 3 and 4 lift the muzzle by a section of the rammer-handle; the preponderance not being sufficient to overcome the friction of the trunnions in the cap-squares. No. 3 passes to the right of the muzzle.
VI. "RUN OUT!"
425. Nos. 7, 8, 11, and 12 man Truck-crank to run out. Nos. 9 and 10 ease compressor. Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 man port-tackle: as muzzle approaches port-stopper, "Open Port!"
As soon as the gun is out, Nos. 11 and 12 unship truck-crank and place it clear of gun-slide. No. 9 to Compressor-wheel, which he heaves hand taut. No 10 ships ratchet-levers and heaves well taut.[40] Gun Captain inserts percussion-primer.
VII. "TRAIN RIGHT!" (OR LEFT).
426. The officer of the gun sights through sight-hole, and orders "Right!" or "Left!" as the muzzle is to go. The Engineer at the starting-bar revolves the turret.
No. 1 to lock-string; when the object comes in view, Officer of piece gives order.
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.
VIII. "READY—FIRE!"
427. Gun Captain pulls lock-string. No. 3 lets go port-tackle. No. 5 closes port. Engineer revolves the turret so as to point the gun abeam. (This gets the scuttle clear for passing up ammunition.)
If necessary,
Nos. 11 and 12 ship crank, and, with 7 and 8, run the gun in; Nos. 9 and 10 easing compressor. No. 10 ships ratchet-lever to ease compressor, No. 9 easing it further by hand. The gun is now ready for loading, and the exercise proceeds as before.
428. The exercise of the left gun is in all respects the same, except that Nos. 3 and 4 exchange duties.
429. The crew of the XV-in. gun consists ordinarily of 14 men, but the gun may be readily worked by 8 men; indeed, some officers prefer the smaller number as being equally efficient, giving more room in the turret, and affording the very great advantage of relief crews during a protracted engagement. The same remarks apply to the XI-in. gun.
Working XV-in. by Half-Crew.
"SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"
430. No. 1 stops vent. 3 passes to left of muzzle. 5 passes sponge-head and sections as required to 3, and assists in sponging.
"LOAD!"
431. No. 13 receives passing-box at scuttle and holds it to 5. 5 receives cartridge from 13, enters it in muzzle, passes rammer-head and sections, and, assisted by 3, rams home. Gun Captain serves the vent, 3 and 5 falling back.
Nos. 9, 11, 13, and 15 whip up shell and attend it to muzzle.
Nos. 5 and 3 steady shell and enter it in muzzle.
No. 5 removes patch, passes it to 7, who hands it to 1.
Nos. 5 and 3 ram home by sections as before.
"ELEVATE!"
432. Nos. 3 and 5 raise muzzle by section of rammer.
No. 1 tends elevating screw.
"PRIME!"
433. No. 1 serves vent and primes with powder.
"RUN OUT!"
434. Nos. 7, 11, and 15 man crank.
No. 9 eases compressor.
Nos. 3, 5, and 13 open port.
When out,
No. 1, Gun Captain, inserts percussion-primer.
No. 11 unships crank.
No. 9 heaves compressor hand taut.
No. 15 ships lever and heaves well taut.
The gun is trained as before.
"FIRE!"
Nos. 7, 11, and 15 man crank, and 9 eases compressor. The above is given for the 1st part of gun's crew; for 2d part substitute next high numbers in each station.