| I. | "Silence! Man the Starboard (or Port) Guns!" |
| II. | "Cast Loose and Provide!" |
| III. | "Run in!" (preparatory). |
| IV. | "Serve Vent and Sponge!" |
| V. | "Load!" |
| VI. | "Run Out!" |
| VII. | "Prime!" |
| VIII. | "Point!" |
| IX. | "Ready—Fire!" |
| X. | "Secure!" |
It is customary to keep the guns of the Battery loaded at sea; it has been found that the fire of a ship could be commenced in three minutes from the beat of drum, the guns being secured for sea, and no notice of what was contemplated announced to men or officers save by the signal for quarters.
This form of exercise therefore proceeds on the assumption that the cannon are not loaded, but the order of the commands may be varied to suit the circumstances of the case.
204. Guns should never remain loaded longer than necessary, as the cartridge speedily deteriorates by the effects of moisture. If a shell has been loaded twenty-four hours it should be drawn and refuzed.
D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius Bien, pr.
I. "SILENCE! MAN THE STARBOARD (OR PORT) GUNS!"
205. At this preparatory order the strictest silence is to be observed. The Captain faces the port, the men, on the right and left, stand facing the gun; all fix their eyes on the Captain and attentively wait for orders.
II. "CAST LOOSE AND PROVIDE!"
206. The Gun Captain commands, sees his gun cleared and cast loose, portlid unbarred ready for tricing up, or half ports taken out; side and train tackles hooked, the side-tackle to the side training-bolt, and the train-tackle to the eye-bolt in the deck in the rear of the gun; casts loose and middles breeching and places selvagee straps and toggles amidships; takes off lock-cover, and hands it to the train-tackleman, who places it amidships; buckles on his waist-belt (furnished as directed in [Article 150]); provides himself with a priming-wire; puts on and secures his thumbstall; and sees that the gear and implements for the service of the gun are all in place and ready for use, and that the men are properly equipped.