SHELL AND POWDER DIVISION.
436. To the Shell and Powder Division is assigned the most laborious and difficult of all the duties—that of keeping up a supply of projectiles.
437. It is therefore necessary to have it strongly manned, and a system of frequent reliefs for all the important stations, particularly in the magazine and shell-locker.
438. There are required three gangs of four each for the passage of projectiles: one to whip them out of the hold, or shell-room; a second to pass them to the door of the turret-chamber; and a third to pass them to the scuttle and adjust them in the bearer. When working with half-crews, the third gang assists at the shell-whip, the fall being dropped down to them.
439. The XV-in. passing-box requires two men to carry it to the turret-chamber.
440. The allowance of projectiles can only be determined by the character of the service expected, and the stowage capacity of the vessel, which is limited to about 150 rounds per gun for sea-service.
441. By reason of the contracted space in these vessels, all shell should be filled, and all powder must be made up into cartridges.
442. All XV-in. shell shall be fitted with three fuze-holes, and issued for service fuzed with 3 1/2, 5, and 7 seconds fuzes.
443. When the distance of the object is known to be less than the range of the shortest fuze, and time will admit of doing so, uncap all the fuzes. At other times uncap the fuze suited to the distance, and the one of longest time of burning.
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.
FOOTNOTES:
[40] The compressor-shaft should be marked as a guide to No. 1 to know when compressed sufficiently.
CHAPTER VII.
MORTARS.
TITLES OF MORTAR CREW.
(See Diagram 1.)
No. 1. First Captain.
No. 2. Second Captain.
No. 3. First Loader and Trainer.
No. 4. First Sponger and Trainer.
No. 5. Second Loader, Front Eccentric Trainer.
No. 6. Second Sponger, Front Eccentric Trainer.
No. 7. Left Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-carrier.
No. 8. Right Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-carrier.
No. 9. Left Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-hoister.
No. 10. Right Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-hoister.
No. 11. Rear Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-hoister.
No. 12. Rear Circle Eccentric Trainer and Shell-hoister.
No. 13. Powder-man.
During exercise or action, Nos. 9, 10, 11, and 12, in addition to their other duties, will hoist up shell from below.
IMPLEMENTS AND EQUIPMENTS.
| Articles. | Where they are placed. |
| Handspikes. | Two on each side of the bed against the cheeks, leaning upon the manoeuvring-bolts, the ends towards the vessel's sides, and those of the front handspikes even with the front of the cheeks. |
| Haversack. | Containing fuzes, and a pair of sleeves, attached to the tompion. |
| Tube-pouch. | Containing the priming-wire, friction-tubes, and lanyard, attached to the tompion, and lying on the mortar. |
| Gunner's Pouch. | Containing gunner's level, gimlet, vent-punch and chalk, attached to tompion. |
| Quadrant. Plummet. Scraper. Wiper. Shell-hooks. | In a basket between the cheeks of the mortar-bed. |
| Tompion. | In the muzzle. |
| Quoin. | Under the mortar upon the bolster, with handle to the left. |
| Maul. Wrench. Pincers. Broom. | With the basket. |
Directly over each mortar must be rigged a gun-tackle purchase-whip, with seven-inch block, to whip up and lower the bomb into the mortar.
One empty bomb and one empty cartridge-bag must be ready for drill.
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.