D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.
EXERCISE OF THE BOAT-HOWITZER.
20. While preparations are in progress for clearing out the boats, the Officer of each boat will see that the howitzer, and its various equipments, are also in readiness. The Junior Officer or Officer of the piece will attend to the gun itself and its carriages.
The Quarter Gunner will get up the ammunition from below; also the lock, sights, sponges, spare fuzes, ammunition-pouches, and primers. Spare article box.
This will be the proper time for examining the shrapnel and shells, which must receive the particular attention of the Officer who is to command the boat.
The Captain of the gun will look after the traverses, tracks, and pivot-plates.
The Coxswain will have ready the thwarts, oars, masts and sails.
When the boat has been cleared for hoisting out, lay the thwarts and traverses, and bolt the pivot-plates on the bows and quarters; if the stem and stern pivot-plates interfere with the purchases, they can be secured after the boat is in the water. If the field-carriage is to accompany the gun, lay the wheel and trail tracks.
In a sea-way, it may be better to place the howitzer in the launch, laying it athwartships, and bolting the two ends of the slide into the bow pivot-plates, which will hold it perfectly firm.