Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

In the magazine the barrels are placed on their sides, generally three tiers high, or four tiers if absolutely necessary. Small skids are placed on the floor and between the several tiers, and the barrels chocked at intervals to prevent rolling. The tiers must be so arranged that the marks can readily be seen and any particular kind reached. There should be an unobstructed space of several yards square at the door, and this space, as likewise the alleys, should be covered with carpet or matting. The magazine is provided with a well near the door; into this the sweepings are put; they should never be swept out at the door.

For the preservation of the magazine it is of the greatest importance to keep unobstructed the circulation of air under as well as above the flooring. The magazine should be opened and aired only in dry, clear weather, when the temperature of the air outside is lower than that inside of the magazine.

It should not be opened in damp weather if it can be avoided. The ventilators must be kept free, and no shrubbery or trees allowed to grow near so as to screen the building from the sun. The yard should be of sand or clay and well drained. The moisture of a magazine may be absorbed by chloride of lime kept in an open vessel and renewed from time to time. Quicklime is dangerous, and should not be used. Candles in lanterns are used for lighting the magazine. No one should enter without first removing his shoes or putting india-rubbers over them. No cane, sword, or anything which might occasion sparks must be carried in.

Barrels of powder must not be rolled in transportation; they should be carried in handbarrows, or in slings made of rope, canvas, or leather. All implements used in the magazine or on the barrels should be of copper or wood. The barrels must never be repaired in the magazine. When it is necessary to roll them for the better preservation of the powder and to prevent its caking, it is done with a small number at a time on boards in the yard.

Neither loaded shells, fireworks, nor composition for fireworks, fuzes, nor friction-primers, etc., will be stored in a magazine with powder. Shells should be filled in the filling-room of the service-magazine.

Transportation of Powder.—In wagons. The barrels of powder must be packed in straw, secured in such a manner as not to rub against each other, and the load closely covered with canvas. Sufficient guard should accompany the train to prevent all fire or smoking near the wagons. No camp-fires should be allowed near the park. On railroads each barrel should be tightly boxed and packed so as to avoid friction; the cars, if practicable, should have springs similar to those of passenger-cars.

Fuzes and Friction-primers are kept as far as possible in their original packages, and are stored in the driest and safest place in the storehouse.

Filling Cartridge-bags.—The powder is carried in barrels from the magazine to the filling-room. Under no circumstances will the filling be done at the magazine. Handle powder carefully. Implements required: 1 copper hammer, 1 wooden drift, 1 counter-brush, 1 scoop, 1 counter-scale and weights (brass or copper), 1 filling-funnel, 1 set of powder-measures, cartridge-bags and twine. When the cartridges are to be used with projectiles, each charge is carefully weighed; if for blank cartridges, it is measured.

One man holds the bag open and another pours the powder into it through a funnel. The bag is then securely tied with twine close to the powder. When filled, each should be marked in pencil, showing kind and weight of powder, and for what piece to be used.