28. Are sabots used with grape shot?
Yes, in the 8-inch sea-coast howitzer.
29. What is its form, and how fastened?
It is conical; and may be fastened to the lower plate with screws, or the pin may be made long enough to pass through it; or else the sabot maybe inserted into the piece separately from the stand of grape.
30. What is the object of fixing shot or shells to wooden bottoms?
To prevent injury to brass cannon; and to insure the fuze of a shell being retained in the axis of the piece.
31. What proportion does the weight of one shot bear to that of another?
The proportion is, as the cubes of their diameters.
32. How is the weight of a cast-iron shot or shell determined?
Multiply the cube of the diameter of the shot in inches, or the difference of the cubes of the exterior and interior diameters of the shell by 0.134 for the weight in pounds. In case of lead balls, the multiplier is 0.214.