After being made up, the empty bags are to be inspected, and those which are sewed with too long stitches, or in any other than the prescribed manner, must be rejected. The dimensions of each bag are to be verified, first by laying it flattened out, between two marks on a table showing the width of a pattern bag. A variation of 0.1 inch greater or less is allowed. The bags are also to be tried on mandrels, or formers, made according to the dimensions given on the preceding page.
187. Preservation From Moths.—Serge or any other woollen material employed for making cartridge-bags is never to be exposed on the shelves in store, either in the piece or when made up. It is to be protected by packing with the hydraulic press, by sewing it up in linen cloth, or by enveloping it in water-proof paper, hermetically sealed.
An infusion of coloquintida, in the proportion of 15 1/2 grains Troy to a quart of water, is said to be a good preservative against moths. In case of using this preparation, the cartridge-bags should be steeped in the infusion, and, after being thoroughly dried, may be packed by the hydraulic press, and headed up in old whiskey barrels, if stored on shore, or packed in empty tanks, if on board ship.
Cartridge-bags, as well as the material for making them, must be frequently examined, to prevent their being damaged by moisture, as well as to guard against moths.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Primers and percussion-caps should be divided into two or three lots, and stowed in different parts of the ship, so that an accidental explosion would not deprive the ship of the means of firing cannon and small arms.
[2] The dimensions of those for the XV, IX, X, and XI inch guns, which have Corner chambers, and cannot be conveniently tabulated, will be furnished to all vessels mounting such guns. The formers for inspection of bags will have the forms and dimensions of the Gomer chambers less 0.87 inch for the IX-inch, 1.0 inch for the X-inch, 1.15 inch for the XI-inch, and 1.50 inch for XV-inch guns, for windage at the large end, in accordance with the flat patterns furnished for cutting.