WILLIAM CONGREVE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
| [Introduction.] | |
| [General Instructions.] | |
| [Formation of a Rocket Troop.] | |
| [Plate 1.]— | The Equipment of a Rocket Trooper. |
| [Plate 2.]— | The Equipment of a Rocket Ammunition Horse. |
| [Plate 3.]— | Fig. 1.—A Sub-division of Rocket Cavalry, in Line of March. |
| Fig. 2.—A Sub-division of Rocket Cavalry, in Action. | |
| [Plate 4.]— | Fig. 1.—Rocket Cars, in Line of March. |
| Fig. 2.—Rocket Cars, in Action. | |
| [Plate 5.]— | Fig. 1.—Rocket Infantry, in Line of March. |
| Fig. 2.—Rocket Infantry, in Action. | |
| [Plate 6.]— | Fig. 1.—The Conveyance of the Apparatus and Rocket Ammunition for Bombardment. |
| Fig. 2.—The Firing of Rockets, in Bombardment. | |
| [Plate 7.]— | Fig. 1, and 2.—The Projecting of Rockets from different Descriptions of Earth Works, in Bombardment. |
| [Plate 8.]— | Fig. 1.—A Rocket Ambuscade. |
| Fig. 2.—The Use of Rockets for the Defence of a Post. | |
| [Plate 9.]— | Fig. 1.—The Use of Rockets, in the Attack of a Fortress. |
| Fig. 2.—The Use of Rockets, in the Defense of a Fortress. | |
| [Plate 10.]— | Fig. 1.—A Repulse of Cavalry by Infantry, with Rockets. |
| Fig. 2.—Preparation for storming, by Means of Rockets. | |
| [Plate 11.]— | The Throwing of Rockets from Men of War’s Boats. |
| [Plate 12.]— | Fig. 1.—The Use of Rockets in Fire Ships. |
| Fig. 2, 3, and 4.—The Equipment of a Rocket Ship, with Scuttles for throwing Rockets from her Broadside. | |
| [Plate 13.]— | The different Natures of Rocket Ammunition, and the Implements used for fixing the Sticks. |
| [Conclusion]— | containing Calculations, proving the great comparative Economy of the Rocket System in all its Branches. |
General Instructions for the Use of Rockets, both in the Field and in Bombardment, shewing the Spirit of the System, and its comparative Powers and Facilities.
It must be laid down as a maxim, that “the very essence and spirit of the Rocket System is the facility of firing a great number of rounds in a short time, or even instantaneously, with small means,” arising from this circumstance, that the Rocket is a species of fixed ammunition which does not require ordnance to project it; and which, where apparatus is required, admits of that apparatus being of the most simple and portable kind.
An officer, therefore, having the use of this weapon under his direction, must ever bear this maxim in mind—and his first consideration must be—to make his discharges against the enemy in as powerful vollies as he possibly can.
Thus—if the defence of a post be entrusted to him, and the ground be at all favourable, he will, independent of the regular apparatus he may have at his disposal, prepare what may be called Rocket Batteries, consisting of as many embrasures as his ground will admit; these embrasures being formed by turning up the sod, so as to give channels of direction four or five feet long, and three feet apart: by which a great number of Rockets in a volley may evidently be arranged to defend any assailable point. In these embrasures, if liable to surprise, the Rockets may be placed in readiness the vents not uncovered; though generally speaking, this is not necessary, as so short a time is required to place them—here and there one, only being in its embrasure.
In battle also, where there is not, of course, time to prepare the ground as above stated, but where it is tolerably level, he may, in addition to the apparatus he possesses, add to his fire by discharging, from the intervals of his frames or cars, Rockets merely laid on the ground in the direction required: and, if an enemy be advancing upon him, there is, in fact, no limit to the volley he may be prepared thus to give, when at a proper distance, but the quantity of ammunition he possesses, the extension of his own ground, and the importance of the object to be fired at. Under these limits, he may chuse his volley from 50 to 500—a fire which, if judiciously laid in, must nearly annihilate his enemy: for this purpose trains are provided. This practice also requires the exposure of only one or two men, who are to fire the volley, as the remainder, with the ammunition, may be under cover. And here it should be remarked, that the length of ranges, and the height of the curve of the recochét, in this mode of firing, depend on the length of the stick—the stick of the full length giving the longest range, but rising the highest from the ground; the reduced stick giving a shorter range, but keeping closer to the ground. From this application, therefore, where practicable, by carrying a certain number of the 12-pounder pouches in the ammunition waggon, an officer, even with a dismounted brigade, may always manœuvre and detach parties to get upon the flanks of any approaching or fixed column, square, or battalion, while he himself remains with the heavier ammunition and cars in front.