MORTAR (continued)

When any fixed shells are issued from the tenders, the artillery people on board are immediately to fix others in their room, and are always to keep in their tenders the same number they had at first.

Extract of a letter from the commanding-officer of the artillery at Gibraltar, May 10, 1756.

"Happening to mention, before the governor and commodore Edgecumbe, that, in case of Gibraltar being attacked by sea, howitzers would be of great service, as I did not imagine any ship's side proof against a 10 inch thell, fired point-blank, or at a small elevation, with a full charge of powder; which being thought impossible by most present, it was agreed to try the experiment: accordingly a target, of about 6 feet square, of an equal strength and resistance with the strongest part of our largest men of war's sides, was made, and was just 3 feet thick of solid fir timber: we fired at it out of a sea-service 10 inch howitzer, at 150 yards distance, and with 10 lb. of powder.

The first shell just touched the top of the object, and lodged in the bank. of land behind it; the second grazed short three yards, and went through the lower corner of the object; but the third shell gave full satisfaction, going through the very center of the object, and entering 5 feet into a solid bank of land behind it."

The shells are to be fixed in the boat appointed to carry them, provided the weather permits; otherwise, in the safest place on deck, and to be kited, or lowered down into a spare rack, which must be in each boat for that purpose. While the shells are fixing, the powder-room is to be shut, the hatches laid and well secured against fire, and the place where they are fixed is to be well watered.

The shells being carefully examined in order that no spike is left therein, by which the fuse may be split, the fuses are to be cut the full length, and to be set home into the shell very strongly.

No shells, fixed during the service, are to be kited; but if any should be left, when the service is over, they are immediately to be kited.

The powder in the bomb-vessels is to be used first; and none to be opened or measured out, except in the captain's cabin, the door of which is to be kept shut during the whole time, and covered with tanned hides, to make it as secure as possible.

The fixed shells in the boats are to be likewise covered from fire or wet with hair-cloth and tanned hides with the utmost care.

If the service is carried on at night, all the powder is to be ready measured out in cartridges, which may be kept in the powder-magazine and captain's cabin, in the empty powder-barrels and powder-bags; and all the shells requisite are to be ready. The tin tubes, one powder-horn, and the port-fires, also the punches and bits for the vents, are to be kept in the captain's cabin.

No fire or light, except match and port-fires, to be on board either bomb-vessel or tender during the service.

The captain's cabin and the passage to it, also the way to the magazine and decks, are to be constantly watered.

The spunges for the mortars are to be all examined and tried, and if too large, they are to be cut so as to enter easily.

The vents of the mortars are to be examined, and the punches and tubes tried in them.

A laboratory-chest is to be on board each bomb-vessel, in the captain's cabin, in which all the small stores are to be kept.

Two tubsof water are to be on deck, for the lightest port-fires and match, which must be constantly held in them till ordered to fire.

Two careful men are also to be appointed for this service, who are to do nothing else on any account.

Reference Works