Arrangement for Fighting both sides.
When ordered to quarters, each watch will take its respective side; when the crew will assume the Nos. to which the several duties, prescribed for working the guns, are assigned.
In the event of being attacked on both sides, at the same time, the following distribution is to be made, where 6 men, and upwards, besides the powderman, can be allowed to each gun, and its opposite, viz.:—
Fighting both sides.
| With 6 men, and powderman. | With 8 men, and powderman. | With 10 men, and powderman. | With 12 men, and powderman. | ||||
| 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 | 3 ┃ 4 |
| ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ |
| ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ 6 | ‖┃‖ 6 | 5 ‖┃‖ 6 | 5 ‖┃‖ 6 | 5 ‖┃‖ 6 | 5 ‖┃‖ 6 |
| ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ |
| ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ 2 | ‖┃‖ 2 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. | Powder- man. |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | ‖┃‖ | 2 ‖┃‖ | 2 ‖┃‖ | 2 ‖┃‖ 7 |
| ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ |
| ‖┃‖ | 6 ‖┃‖ | 6 ‖┃‖ | 6 ‖┃‖ 5 | 6 ‖┃‖ 5 | 6 ‖┃‖ 5 | 6 ‖┃‖ 5 | 6 ‖┃‖ 5 |
| ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ | ┃ |
| 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 | 4 ┃ 3 |
| With 7 men, and powderman. | With 9 men, and powderman. | With 11 men, and powderman. | With 13 men, and powderman. | ||||
The guns are to be worked in pairs, commencing from forward; Nos. 1, and 2 guns on each side will be pairs, and so on, up to the highest even numbered gun on the deck; but the aftermost (if it should be an odd numbered gun) must be worked by its own crew passing from side to side, as necessary. When exercising, until the crews are perfect, and steady, the orders should be given by the officer, who is in charge of the quarters, and the left guns should be fired first. But when the men are perfect, the guns, which are first ready, should be first fired, and the exercise should be conducted by the captains of the guns, having reference to the movements of the other gun of their pairs, in order to approximate the exercise, as nearly as possible, to action with an enemy. All shot practice at targets, with both sides manned, is to be conducted on this plan.
Words of command for Fighting both sides.
“Man both sides.”—“Prime.”—“Point.”—“Muzzle to the right.”—“Muzzle to the left.”—“Elevate.”—“Ready.”—(Left guns.)—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Right guns.)—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Left guns.)—“Run out.”—“Fire.”—“Sponge, and load.”—(Right guns.)—“Run out.”—“Fire.”—“Cease firing.”
When ordered to “cease firing,” the guns are to be loaded, and run out.[33]