6. A very great increase of velocity may be acquired by a decrease of windage, from to being lost by the windage of the diameter of the bore.

7. By firing the charge in different parts (separately, or simultaneously), by compressing the charge, by the use of wads, by varying the weight of the gun to lessen the recoil, or even by stopping the recoil entirely, no sensible change is produced in the velocity of the ball.

8. The velocity increases with the charge, to a certain point, peculiar to each gun; but, by further increasing the charge, the velocity gradually diminishes; yet the recoil is always increased by an increase of charge. (Vide 3.)

9. The velocities of balls fired with equal charges increase to a certain point, when the gun is longer, in a proportion which is nearly the middle ratio between the square and cube roots of the length of the bore.

10. When shot of different weights are fired with the same charges of powder, the velocities communicated to them are nearly in the inverse ratio of the square roots of their weights. Therefore, shot which are of different weights, and impelled by the firing of different charges of powder, acquire velocities which are directly as the square roots of the charges of powder, and inversely as the square roots of the weights of the shot. By making use of shot of a heavier metal than iron (lead for instance) the momentum of the shot discharged with the same charge of powder would be increased in the ratio of the square root of the shot's weight, which would both augment the force of the blow with which it would strike, and also the extent of the range.

Compound-shot, or shells filled with lead, fired with charges increased th, will increase the power of range considerably.

11. With common shells at 45° elevation, the time of flight is nearly equal to the square root of the range in feet, divided by 4; or, more nearly, equal to the square root of the quotient of the range in feet, divided by 161

12. The range at 45° elevation is nearly equal to the square of the time of flight in seconds, multiplied by 16 feet. The range at 15° will be about half that at 45°.

13. Upon inclined planes, at any elevation, there are always two elevations with which any range may be obtained.

The elevation which gives the greatest range, on a given ascent, is equal to half the sum of 90° added to the ascent.

The elevations which give equal ranges on a given ascent, are the complements of each other added to the ascent.

The elevation which gives the greatest range on a descent, is equal to half the complement of the descent.

14. The depths penetrated by balls of the same size into wood, with different velocities, or charges, are nearly as the squares of the velocities. Balls of different sizes will penetrate to depths proportionate to their diameters: therefore a greater ball will not only make a

larger hole, but will also penetrate farther than a small one with the same velocity.

15. By experiments at a mean range, it has been ascertained that in common earth, dug up, and well rammed, a musket ball buries itself nearly 1 foot; a 6-pounder from 3 feet to 4 feet; 9-pounder from 6 feet to 7 feet; 12-pounder from 8 feet to 10 feet; 18, and 24pounders from 11 feet to 13 feet.

NAVAL GUNNERY.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXERCISE, AND SERVICE OF GREAT
GUNS, ON BOARD HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS.

Every ship should be prepared to defend herself when attacked, on both sides. On assembling at quarters for action, or exercise, the men are to repair to their respective sides according to their watches, providing and distributing the several articles allotted them.

The first captains, and half the crew of the guns (the men designated by the odd numbers), remain by their proper guns; the second captains, and the remainder (designated by the even numbers), man the guns on their right.

Stationary powdermen are allotted to every two guns: they are to have two cases; that containing the reserve cartridge is to be hung up in rear of the gun amidships.

An extra powderman, whose duty it will be to fetch powder from the magazine scuttle, and supply the stationary powderman, is to be allotted to every four guns, that the reserve cartridge may not at any time be left without protection.

The gun and its opposite should bear the same number, beginning from forward with No. 1 on each deck.

The men appointed to work the gun are to be distinguished by numbers, which will be assigned according to the complement of men stationed at each gun, as hereafter described.

The crews and powdermen of the odd-numbered guns should be composed entirely of the starboard-watch, and the even-numbered guns of the port-watch; this will enable whole guns' crews to be worked together in their watch on deck, without disturbing the watch below, and will also enable the commanding officer to take the best men from both watches for the captains of the guns; they should be selected as much as possible from various parts of the ship, so that if a heavy loss of men should occur at particular guns, it would not be more severely felt at one station than at another. Petty officers, or leading men of stations, who are likely to be called upon in action to perform duties as such, are to be quartered at the guns nearest their work.

In assigning the duties, it is premised that the complements of all classes of Her Majesty's ships, small vessels excepted, will admit of the crew of each gun being composed of six persons and the powderman (the latter of whom is not to bear a number), by whom the principal duties in the working and providing for a gun are performed; the

first six are to be distinguished as the Gun numbers, and any additional men which its size may require, are to be considered as Auxiliaries, but they are to be equally instructed and rendered competent to perform the several duties of the gun. By this arrangement, one system will be applicable to the working of all the different natures of guns used at sea.

POSITIONS.

The crew, with the exception of the first and second captain and powdermen, are to stand with their faces turned obliquely towards the gun and the port, this position being best adapted to secure attention.

The two men whose numbers place them farthest from the ship's side, are to be termed right, and left rear men. The guns on each deck are to be divided into two divisions, called the foremost, and after quarters; and an officer is to be appointed to command each.

Arrangements are to be made in the different magazines and passages, for the regular supply of powder to the several decks, under the superintendence of an officer, to prevent confusion from the intermixture of the cartridges; and the following rule should be observed in supplying the different decks with powder, namely :

In frigates, and two-decked ships, the lower, and main deck should be supplied from the fore magazine; and the quarter deck, and forecastle from the after magazine.

In three-decked ships, the lower, and middle deck from the fore magazine; main deck, quarter deck, and forecastle from the after magazine,

The fire screens are to be kept fixed, rolled up, and protected from the weather.

NOTE.-The above arrangement refers to Magazines as at present fitted,'

ASSEMBLING AT QUARTERS.

The accustomed beat of the drum is for Action; the stationary powdermen repair to the magazine-scuttle for two cartridge-cases and two cartridges, and then return to their places in the rear of their guns amidships, ready to receive all further supply of powder from the extra powderman.

The Gun numbers provide the stores, and with the Auxiliaries cast loose their respective guns, which are to be searched, loaded with full charges, and single shot, and run out without further orders: but they are on no account to be fired without distinct orders from the upper deck.

NOTE. The above arrangement, although it insures the guns being got quickly ready for action, does not preclude the commanding officer from giving orders on beating to quarters, to load with any other charge or projectile he may think best.

The accustomed beat of the drum with one roll is for Manual exercise, the same as for Action, but no powder is provided.

The accustomed beat of the drum with two rolls is to muster for