6. What is the natural angle of sight in this piece?
8-inch, 1° 23´; 10-inch, 1° 21´.
31]
PART I. SECTION V.
ON MORTARS.
1. What is a Mortar?
The shortest piece in service; the trunnions are placed in rear of the vent at the breech; the bore is very large in proportion to the length, and is provided with a chamber.
2. What are the principal advantages obtained by the employment of mortars?
Reaching objects by their vertical fire—such as a town, battery, or other place—whose destruction or injury cannot be effected by direct or ricochet fire; dismounting the enemy’s artillery; setting fire to and overthrowing works; blowing up magazines; breaking through the roofs of barracks, casemates, &c.; and producing havoc and disorder amongst troops.
3. What do you mean by vertical fire?
That produced by firing the mortar at a high elevation.