THE MODE OF USING ROCKETS IN BOMBARDMENT.
[Plate 6], Fig. 1, represents the mode of carrying the bombarding frame and ammunition by men. The apparatus required is merely a light ladder, 12 feet in length, having two iron chambers, which are fixed on in preparing for action at the upper end of the ladder; from which chambers the Rockets are discharged, by means of a musket lock; the ladder being reared to any elevation, by two legs or pry-poles, as in Fig. 2. Every thing required for this service may be carried by men; or a Flanders-pattern ammunition waggon, with four horses, will convey 60 rounds of 32-pounder Carcasses, in ten boxes, eight of the boxes lying cross-ways on the floor of the waggon, and two length-ways, at top. On these the frame, complete for firing two Rockets at a flight, with spunges, &c. is laid; and the sticks on each side, to complete the stowage of all that is necessary, the whole being covered by the tilt. Four men only are required to be attached to each waggon, who are numbered 1, 2, 3, & 4.
The frame and ammunition having been brought into the battery, or to any other place, concealed either by trees or houses (for from the facility of taking new ground, batteries are not so indispensable as with mortars), the words “Prepare for bombardment” are given; on which the frame is prepared for rearing, Nos. 1 and 2 first fixing the chambers on the ladder; Nos. 3 and 4 attaching the legs to the frame as it lies on the ground. The words “Rear frame” are then given; when all assist in raising it, and the proper elevation is given, according to the words “Elevate to 35°” or “45°,” or whatever angle the officer may judge necessary, according to the required range, by spreading or closing the legs of the frame, agreeable to the distances marked in degrees on a small measuring tape, which the non-commissioned officer carries, and which is called—the Elevating Line. The word “Point” is then given: which is done by means of a plumb-line, hanging down from the vertex of the triangle, and which at the same time shews whether the frame is upright or not. Things being thus arranged, Nos. 1 and 2 place themselves at the foot of the ladder, and Nos. 3 and 4 return to fix the ammunition in the rear, in readiness for the word “Load.” When this is given, No. 3 brings a Rocket to the foot of the ladder, having before hand carefully taken off the circle that covered the vent, and handing it to No. 2, runs for another. In the mean time, No. 1 has ascended the ladder to receive the first Rocket from No. 2, and to place it in the chamber at the top of the ladder; by the time this is done, No. 2 is ready to give him another Rocket, which in like manner he places in the other chamber: he then primes the locks with a tube and powder, and, cocking the two locks, after every thing else is done, descends from the ladder, and, when down, gives the word “Ready;” on which, he and No. 2 each take one of the trigger lines, and retire ten or twelve paces obliquely, waiting for the word “Fire” from the officer or non-commissioned officer, on which they pull, either separately or together, as previously ordered.
On the Rockets leaving the frame, No. 1 immediately runs up and spunges out the two chambers with a very wet spunge, having for this purpose a water bucket suspended at the top of the frame; which being done, he receives a Rocket from No. 2, as before, No. 3 having, in the mean time, brought up a fresh supply; in doing which, however, he must never bring from the rear more than are wanted for each round. In this routine, any number of rounds is tired, until the words “Cease firing” are given; which, if followed by those, “Prepare to retreat,” Nos. 3 and 4 run forward to the ladder; and on the words “Lower frame,” they ease it down in the same order in which it was raised, take it to pieces, and may thus retire in less than five minutes: or if the object of ceasing to fire is merely a change of position to no great distance, the four men may with ease carry the frame, without taking it to pieces, the waggon following them with the ammunition, or the ammunition being borne by men, as circumstances may render expedient.
The ammunition projected from this frame consists of 32-pounder Rockets, armed with carcasses of the following sorts and ranges:—
1st.—The small carcass, containing 8 lbs. of carcass composition, being 3 lbs. more than the present 10-inch spherical carcass.—Range 3,000 yards.
2nd.—The medium carcass, containing 12 lbs. of carcass composition, being equal to the present 13-inch.—Range 2,500 yards.
3rd.—The large carcass, containing 18 lbs. of carcass composition, being 6 lbs. more than the present 13-inch spherical carcass.—Range 2,000 yards.
Or 32-pounder Rockets, armed with bursting cones, made of stout iron, filled with powder, to be exploded by fuzes, and to be used to produce the explosive effects of shells, where such effect is preferred to the conflagration of the carcass. These cones contain as follows:—
Small.—Five lbs. of powder, equal to the bursting powder of a 10-inch shell.—Range 3,000 yards.