required height, is a lever of the first kind, and is applied accordingly. The body of the jack is the support on which it works. (2) "The tooth and pinion jack" is of greater power than the common jack, and is used for heavy carriages. It is applied vertically under the carriage, which is raised by turning the winch of the jack. (3) "The screw jack" is an elevating screw of large dimensions, and is of greater power than either of the other two. Like the tooth and pinion jack, it is applied vertically under the body, which is raised, like the breech of a gun, by turning up the screw. The foot of it is furnished with three spikes, to prevent its slipping when the screw is turned. These two last-mentioned jacks will be superseded by that proposed by Major Clerk. The new pattern jack is the elevating screw of the service, in a cast-iron conical box with metal top and triangular base. The length of the screw is 13 inches, diameter 2 inches, pitchinch; length of lever 3 feet; weight 64 lbs. This screw is fitted, near the top, with a horizontal toothed wheel, for the reception of corresponding teeth in the lever. The fixed end of the lever is connected with the screw by a collar and slot. When the lever is raised it has free motion round the screw; when it is lowered the teeth are engaged, and a purchase is taken. The foot of the screw fitted with a claw. The lever is in two parts for convenience of transport. To run the screw quickly down, the lever should be unshipped. Oil is used to lubricate the jack. ARTICLE III.-ROLLERS. Rollers are solid cylinders of wood, used in mounting guns upon their carriages, in shifting them from carriage to carriage, and in moving them on the ground. Their dimensions vary, according to the nature of the service for which they are intended. They can be used with advantage only on a perfectly plane and hard surface. When a gun is moved on rollers, they must be perfectly horizontal, or it will roll off them; and even when the rollers are horizontal, steadying handspikes should be applied, to guard still further against such an accident. The rollers must be placed at right angles to the direction in which they are intended to move, projecting equally on each side of the axis of the gun, or other body, which they support. A gun laid upon rollers may be moved, either by hauling upon it with ropes, or by means of levers. In the last case, two holes crossing each other at right angles, are pierced near each end of the several rollers, and in them are inserted the points of iron levers, by means of which the rollers are turned in the required direction. ARTICLE IV.-CRAB CAPSTAN, AND TEMPORARY WINDLASS. A crab capstan consists of a barrel (in shape a frustrum of a cone), and of a framework of wood and iron by which the barrel is supported in a vertical position with its largest diameter next the ground. It is furnished with two levers, called capstan bars, which are passed through mortices in the upper part of the barrel, and by means of which the barrel may be turned about on its axis. By means of the crab capstan, a few men, acting at the bars, can move weights which would be far beyond their strength, if applied in the ordinary manner; and it may, therefore, be used with advantage, in many situations, in which it may be either difficult to command labour, or desirable to economise it. One end of a rope is made fast to the weight which is to be moved, and is called the "standing end." The other, called the "running end," is passed two or three times round the lower part of the barrel, the loose or running end being kept above the turns, and stretched taut by the man who passed it round. As the barrel is turned, the standing end of the rope winds round it, forces the turns up the barrel, and clears itself. As fast as the running end comes off the barrel, it is coiled by a man appointed to that duty. The capstan, when used, secured by ropes to pickets, or other holdfasts on the opposite side of it to that on which the strain acts upon it. PART II. SERVING, AND WORKING HEAVY ORDNANCE. ARTICLE I. A gun detachment consists of one Non-commissioned officer, and nine Gunners. "Telling off." The men fall in, on their private parade, two deep, the non-commissioned officer gives the word "Tell off." The righthand man of the rear rank numbers off" 2," his front rank man "3," the second man from the right of the rear rank "4," and so on. The detachment being in line, the non-commissioned officer is on the right of the front rank. The detachment is marched into the battery, and is halted in line, facing the parapet, and to the left rear of the gun which is to be worked. The detachment is now in the position of "Detachment rear," or that which it occupies when it comes into the battery as a relief, and whilst the relieved party is marching off. At the word "Take post under cover," No. 1 gives "To the right face," and, taking an oblique pace to his left rear, "double march." The detachment, stepping off, wheels to its left at the left corner of the platform, the front rank filing to the left of the gun, the rear rank to the right; Nos. 2 and 3 halting close to the parapet, and near the mouth of the embrasure, the other numbers forming upon their right and left in succession. No. 1 following in rear of the rear rank; they face to the right about together. The detachment, now close to the parapet, is in the position it should occupy when not actively engaged in working the gun. When there is no parapet the detachment files at once on to the gun, at the command, "Take post at the gun," Nos. 2 and 3, halting in line with the muzzle, Nos. 4 and 5 the trunnions, Nos. 6 and 7 the vent, No. 1 the trail, and the whole in echellon, and uncovered. GENERAL DETAIL OF DUTIES FOR DETACHMENTS OF TEN MEN No. 1 points, and commands. No. 2 searches, sponges, rams home, elevates. No. 4 clears the vent, serves it, pricks cartridges, traverses. No. 6 supplies side arms to No. 2, taps and cleans sponge if necessary, attends stool bed, elevating screw and quoin in laying, replaces No. 1's handspike, has charge of water buckets, assists to load the projectiles for 8 inch, 10 inch, and 68 pounder, and also hot shot. The above numbers run the gun up. No. 8 assists to prepare shells, and to supply gun with projectiles, and spare stores when necessary. Brings up cartridges from magazine. No. 10 attends to the magazines, serves out cartridges to No. 7. No. 9 fixes and bores fuzes, assists to prepare, and bring up projectiles. Besides the men told off as above, some will be required to move powder barrels, rivet on bottoms, fill shells, heat shot, &c. GENERAL LIST OF STORES REQUIRED FOR SERVICE OF GUNS Side arms. 1 sponge. Handspikes, 5: points to the front. To be placed on the right of the gun, clear When in casemates, or blindages, or when Two on each side of the platform close to Priming irons for Garrison guns. Sets 1. In loop on right side of carriage. Thumstalls. 1. With No. 4. |