The sponges and rammers are now to be attached in their places on the trail.
The transporting-boxes will also be filled.
EMBARKATION OF THE HOWITZER.
36. When the howitzer is to be embarked, the transporting-boxes should be taken off and put in the boat separately.
The men unsling the ammunition-pouches, and pass them into the boat, which is to be brought to a convenient distance from the beach, and the skids laid and secured.
The field-carriage is then pointed with the trail towards the boat, and drawn down to the skids, with a wheel resting on each.
Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 divide at the wheels, and take hold of the spokes, so as to assist the carriage up. No. 14 ships the trail-handspike and tends it with No. 15. The rest of the men get into the boat and take hold of the drag-rope. At the word "Heave" the men at the wheels bear the carriage up on the skids, those in the boat haul on the drag-rope, and the two at the trail bear it up, so that the Quarter Gunner, who stands at the bow, can get hold of the trail-handspike and guide the carriage fairly.
When the howitzer is in the boat, the skids are unhooked and put in the boat by Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6.
The howitzer may now be shifted to the boat-carriage, by reversing the process already described in orders Nos. 1, 2, and 3, for shifting to the field-carriage.
