14. What are the principal considerations to be kept in view in the construction of field carriages?
Lightness and strength combined, great mobility and flexibility, and a low centre of gravity, in order to surmount all difficulties in the field which must frequently arise while artillery is acting with other troops,—to resist the concussion in firing, and the severe jolting produced when moving rapidly over uneven ground.
15. How many kinds of field gun-carriages have we?
Three, viz: One for the 6 pdr. gun and 12-pdr. howitzer; another for the 24-pdr. howitzer; and the third for the 12-pdr. gun and 32-pdr. howitzer.
16. In what respect are these carriages similar?
In all having the same kind of limber and the same-sized wheels, so that any limber or wheel may be used with any carriage; though, if possible, the heaviest wheel (No. 2) should be used on the carriage of the three heaviest pieces, 12-pdr. gun and 24 and 32-pdr. howitzers.
17. Describe these gun-carriages.
They consist of two short cheeks of wood, bolted upon a stock and wooden axle-body, in a recess of which fits the iron axle on which the wheels are placed. The stock terminates in a trail and trail-plate which rests on the ground, and has on the end a strong ring called the lunette, which is placed on the pintle hook when the piece is limbered. In the stock is placed an elevating screw-box of bronze in which the elevating screw fits.
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18. Mention other parts of a field-carriage.