Chapter I: Ordnance and Ordnance Stores (3)

VALUE OF N. | DIFFERENCES| -----------------------------------------+------------+ 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 1st. | 2d. | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+ 20 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 50 | 56 | 62 | 68 | 74 | 6 | 4 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 10 | 5 | 130 | 145 | 160 | 175 | 190 | 205 | 15 | 6 | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+ 196 | 217 | 238 | 259 | 280 | 301 | 21 | 7 | 280 | 308 | 336 | 364 | 392 | 420 | 28 | 8 | 384 | 420 | 456 | 492 | 528 | 564 | 36 | 9 | 510 | 555 | 100 | 645 | 690 | 735 | 45 | 10 | 660 | 715 | 770 | 825 | 880 | 935 | 55 | 11 | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+ 838 | 902 | 968 | 1034 | 1100 | 1166 | 66 | 12 | 1040 | 1118 | 1196 | 1274 | 1352 | 1430 | 78 | 13 | 1274 | 1365 | 1456 | 1547 | 1638 | 1729 | 91 | 14 | 1540 | 1645 | 1750 | 1855 | 1960 | 2065 | 105 | 15 | 1840 | 1960 | 2080 | 2200 | 2320 | 2440 | 120 | 16 | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+ 2126 | 2312 | 2448 | 2584 | 2720 | 2856 | 136 | 17 | 2550 | 2703 | 2556 | 3009 | 3162 | 3315 | 154 | 18 | 2964 | 3135 | 3806 | 3477 | 3648 | 3819 | 111 | 19 | 3420 | 3610 | 3800 | 3990 | 4180 | 4370 | 190 | 20 | 3920 | 4130 | 4340 | 4550 | 4760 | 4970 | 210 | 21 | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+ 4466 | 4697 | 4928 | 5159 | 5390 | 5621 | 231 | 22 | 5060 | 5313 | 5566 | 5819 | 6072 | 6325 | 253 | 23 | 5704 | 3980 | 6256 | 6532 | 6803 | 7084 | 276 | 24 | 6400 | 6700 | 7000 | 7300 | 7600 | 7900 | 300 | 25 | 7150 | 7475 | 7800 | 8125 | 8450 | 8775 | 325 | 26 | ------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-----+

The number contained in a square pile is found in the column opposite the number X.

In a rectangular pile let the smaller side be 19 = X, the longer side be 26 = X + N. Then N = 7. Under 7 and opposite 19 we have 3,800. This table may be indefinitely extended by the aid of the columns of differences.

PRESERVATION OF SHOT AND EMPTY SHELL.

98. All round shot and shell are to be cleaned from rust and covered with a thin lacquer of such composition as may be directed by the Bureau when they are first received and when they are restowed.

99. For the present the following colors are established when put on board ship: All shot, black; shell, red; shrapnel, white; length of fuze stencilled on the shell. Special kinds of shell, as may be directed by Bureau. (Crane's shell, yellow; Pevey, blue.)

100. Empty shell, whether in store or in transportation, shall be most carefully protected from damp, and are to have the fuze-bouching coated with such composition as may be directed, and be stopped by a plug of very soft wood, well coated with a mixture of oil and tallow, screwed into them. The ends of the plugs should not be sawed off even with the shell, but left square and project sufficiently to allow them to be unscrewed by means of a wrench, and whenever these plugs are removed for the purpose of fitting the shells for service, they are not to be thrown away but preserved for future use.

They are to be piled with the fuze-holes down, and free from contact; under cover when practicable, but with free ventilation.

101. Platforms of masonry, or of condemned shot, are to be prepared to pile shot and shell upon, and are not to be wider, if space can be found than to stow fourteen 32-pdr. shot, or not exceeding eight feet in width. Square piles are to be preferred where there is room, but where this may be deficient, the piles may be extended in length.

102. Shot and shell, after having been piled, are to be so far examined in the first week of June in each year as to ascertain if they require to be cleaned, relacquered, and repiled to secure their proper preservation; and their condition reported to the Bureau, that if any work upon them is necessary it may be finished during the warm months of the year, when the lacquer can be best applied.

103. Whenever shot or shell are to receive lacquer care must be taken that the quantity applied does not increase the diameter more than is indispensably necessary, and in no case above the established high gauge. Old lacquer and rust should be removed by scraping, as far as can be conveniently done before a new coating is applied. For use at the Navy Yards, a milling machine performs this very expeditiously. Neither hammering nor heating is to be resorted to for this purpose.

NOTE.--After numerous experiments upon different lacquers employed for the preservation of shot and shell from rust, the French have abandoned all of them.

The shot and shell are simply piled, under sheds when practicable, or in the open air, and when put on board ship cleaned of rust and rubbed over with whale oil--the same means adopted every three months during the cruise.

PREPARATION OF SHELL FOR SERVICE.

104. The fuzes for shell will be prepared at the Laboratory in the Ordnance Yard at Washington, and distributed to other Navy Yards as they may be required. All fuzes taken from shell, or returned from ships which have been more than one year in service, are to be sent to the laboratory to be refitted. Fuzes of over two years date of manufacture, are not to be issued for service, but returned to the laboratory.

105. The charges of powder for spherical shell are to be as follows:

|XV- |XI- |X- |IX- |8- |32- |BOAT AND FIELD
|INCH|INCH|INCH|INCH|INCH|PDR.|HOWITZERS.
| | | | | | +----------------
| | | | | | |24-pdr.|12-pdr.
---------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+-------+--------
|Lbs.|Lbs.|Lbs.|Lbs.|Lbs.|Lbs.| Lbs. | Lbs.
Bursting or Service Charge |13 |6.00|4.00|3.00|1.85|0.90| 1.0 | 0.5
Blowing Charge | 1.0|0.25|0.25|0.25|0.25|0.25| |
---------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+-------+--------

NOTE.--The weight of charges for shells will vary slightly from those given in the table according to the size of the grain and density of the powder.

106. All empty shell, whether in store or in transportation, shall be most carefully protected from dampness, and their fuze-holes invariably closed with wooden plugs. Whenever these plugs are removed for the purpose of fitting the shells for service, they are not to be thrown away, but preserved for future use. If by any accident the shell should be damp in the interior, they are to be heated and dried, on the grillage prepared for that purpose.

107. The number of shell to be kept fitted at the Navy Yards will be determined by special directions from the Bureau.

In fitting shell to receive the bouching, great carelessness has been observed. The hole should be tapped with a full thread, and the proper shoulder left at the bottom to prevent the bouching from being driven in by the shock of firing and causing premature explosion.

108. All shell shall be filled with musket-powder of the highest initial velocity. The shell must be filled, and the powder well shaken down, leaving only room for the insertion of the fuze. A wooden plug the size of the lower part of the fuze will always determine this. The very common, but slovenly, practice of filling the shell, and then pouring out a quantity sufficient to allow the fuze to be inserted, is expressly prohibited. Shell have also been returned with the powder in the vicinity of the fuze compressed into a solid mass, owing to the fact that sufficient room had not been left for its insertion. No shell shall be fuzed unless it has been filled.

109. The date when shell are fuzed or filled, as well as that on which any of these arrangements are changed, or the shell are examined before issue to vessels, together with the initials of the officer superintending these operations, should be legibly written and pasted on the shell, or stencilled on the box.

110. The Ordnance Officer, or the Gunner of the Yard, is to see the shell supplied to all vessels properly conveyed on board, superintend the stowage, and furnish the Commanding Officer with a statement showing the number of each description of shell and fuze, and a plan of their stowage.

111. The condition of the shell, and especially of their fuzes, is to be frequently and carefully examined into, taking out a fuze occasionally so as to detect any injury which may arise from moisture, and to have such as may be found damaged replaced by the spare fuzes.

Boat shell and their spare fuzes are also to undergo a similar examination.

Shell have been sometimes returned with their fuzes entirely destroyed by moisture!!

112. It has been found recently, on drawing the charge of a 12-pounder howitzer in one of the small gunboats, that in cutting its fuze (Bormann) the incision had been made directly into the magazine.

Had the gun been fired, the explosion of the shrapnell must have occurred at the muzzle of the gun.

There is no doubt such errors will often account for the supposed defects of the fuze.

The attention of officers is therefore required to this subject; and, in making reports of defective ammunition, samples should be forwarded to Washington for examination.

It is of the gravest importance, not only because it involves the failure of the shell to act properly upon the object of fire, but may also endanger the lives of our own men.

113. Whenever it is expedient or necessary to examine the fuzes and loading of shell which have been already prepared, great care must be observed in removing the fuze. It should never be done in the shell-room.

114. The fuze-stock may generally be safely unscrewed with the fuze-wrench, taking care, in the first place, to strike the side of the shell gently with a wooden mallet, to detach the powder from the fuze, to work very slowly, and not to endeavor to overcome any unusual resistance.

115. Whenever it shall be necessary to load and fuze shell on board ship--a properly secured place being first prepared, as directed by the Captain, not in the shell-room and as far from the magazine as convenient--the shell, being strapped and sabotted, are to be examined to see that they are clean, both inside and out, and thoroughly dry. The greatest care is to be taken to remove every particle of sand or fragment of iron from the interior. The prescribed charge of powder is next to be poured into them through a proper funnel; care is to be taken that the end of the funnel passes below the screw-thread in the tap or bouching, to prevent any grains of powder entering it; any grains of it which may remain sticking to the thread of the bouching are to be brushed away carefully, and then, after putting a light coat of lacquer for small arms, or sperm oil, on this thread and on that of the fuze, the latter is to be screwed in carefully with the fuze-wrench. The lacquer should be of the consistency of cream, and when from evaporation, it becomes too stiff, should be thinned by adding more spirits of turpentine.

116. In emptying shell they are to be handled carefully and placed on a bench with a hole in it to receive and support the inverted shell. A wooden vessel placed below will receive the powder. _The powder which has been removed from shell shall only be used for filling shell, as it always contains a small quantity of grit, which renders it unfit for general service._ Should the powder have become caked, so as not to be easily removed from the shell, it is to be drowned and removed by washing out the shell. A handful of small iron shot put in the shell will facilitate this operation.

117. Loaded shell are to be painted red and placed in boxes or bags marked with a red cross, which boxes are to have the lengths of fuze painted on them in black. Shrapnel shell and the tops of their boxes shall be painted white, with the length of fuze stencilled on them in black. They are to be stowed in shell-houses prepared for that purpose. Loaded shell, whether in or out of their boxes, must be handled carefully. Shell-bags will be preserved, accounted for by the Gunner, and returned.

118. The greatest precaution must be taken in handling loaded shells fitted with percussion-fuzes. When returned from ships they must not be taken into the shell-houses until after the fuzes shall have been removed and the shell plugged.

119. Shell-houses, and the general condition of the shell they contain, are to be examined as often as once a fortnight by the Ordnance Officer, and every precaution taken to keep them as dry as possible.

120. The shell for boat guns are to be stowed in "the shell-houses" on shore, and "shell-rooms" on board of vessels, in their proper boxes.

121. One-fourth of the whole number of spare fuzes allowed for the great guns is to be for 5 seconds of time; one-fourth for 10 seconds; one-fourth for 15 seconds; one-fourth assorted of 3, 5, 7, and 20 seconds.

122. All the spherical shell, however, put on board ship, filled and fitted for immediate use, are to be provided with none other than the 5-second fuze. No fuze is, under any circumstances, to be put in shell which are not filled.

123. For rifled cannon the shell shall be fitted with one-half percussion, one-half time fuze. Parrott's shell will have bouching, or "adapting" rings for the naval time fuze. The new form of adapter, with a shoulder and washer beneath it, shall alone be used.

124. At ranges exceeding 1,400 yards the 10 or 15-second fuzes, according to such excess, are to be substituted for the 5-second fuze, by removing one and putting in the other; or, if preferred, those fuzes may be applied to shell which are not already fitted. The 5-second fuze is to be regarded as the general working fuze, and hence the reason the filled shell are to be fitted with it, as mentioned above. (See TABLE OF RANGES for proper lengths of fuze for all distances.)

125. The different kinds of fuzes shall be made up in separate packages, distinctly marked with the kind and length of fuze, and their use carefully explained to the Executive Officer and Gunner by the Inspector of Ordnance.

126. In consequence of numerous reports received from vessels in service of the inefficiency of certain fuzes, commanders of vessels are required to observe carefully the action and result of all fuzes, and report in detail to the Bureau of Ordnance whenever opportunities may occur, particularly specifying the number and kind fired, elevation of gun, range, premature explosions, failures to explode, and satisfactory action. Also, whether the fire was direct or ricochet.

127. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS, IN INCHES, FOR SHELL-BOXES.

For XV-inch shell, 18 x 18 by 20 high.
For XI-inch shell, 12.75 x 12.75 by 14.5 high.
For X-inch shell, 11.65 x 11.65 by 13.9 high.
For IX-inch shell, 10.63 x 10.63 by 12.9 high.
For 8-inch shell, 10.20 x 10.10 by 12.2 high.
For 32-pounder shell, 8.60 x 8.50 by 10.2 high.

128. AREAS OCCUPIED BY ONE TIER OF SHELL-BOXES.

XI-INCH. | X-INCH. | IX-INCH. | 8-INCH. | 32-POUNDER. ---+------------+---+-----------+---+------------+---+--------+---+-------- No.|Ft. In.|No.|Ft. In.|No.|Ft. In.|No.|Ft. In.|No.|Ft. In. ---+------------+---+-----------+---+------------+---+--------+---+-------- 72 | 15.5-1/2 x | 75| 15.2 x |102| 15.8-1/4 x |108| 16 x 6 |176| 16 x 6 | 5.8-1/2 | | 5.3-1/2 | | 5.9-1/4 | | | | 52 | 14.4 x | 56| 14.2 x | 80| 14.9-1/4 x | 85| 15 x 5 |140| 15 x 5 | 4.6-1/2 | | 4.1-1/2 | | 4.9-1/2 | | | | ---+------------+---+-----------+---+------------+---+--------+---+--------

GUNPOWDER.

STOWAGE, PRESERVATION, HANDLING, AND CHARGES.

129. The Bureau having adopted a new system of granulating Navy powder, the different classes will in future be known and designated as RIFLE, CANNON, and MUSKET.

Gunpowder intended for ordinary use in cannon is to have sufficient strength to give a 6-pounder shot the under-mentioned Initial Velocities, determinable by the gun-pendulum of the Ordnance Yard at Washington.

130. The size of the grains is determined by sieves, made by piercing round holes in thin plates of brass. These sieves are five in number, the holes being of the following diameters, viz.:

No. 1, .3 of an inch } Initial Velocity required,
No. 2, .15 do. } 1450 feet + 50 - 50, for Rifle.

No. 2, .15 do. } Initial Velocity required,
No. 3, .10 do. } 1500 feet + 50 - 50, for Cannon.

No. 4, .06 do. } Initial Velocity required,
No. 5, .02 do. } 1550 feet + 50 - 50, for Musket.

Rifle powder is used in the Parrott rifles of 8-inch, 100-pounder, and 60-pounder. Navy cannon powder in all other rifles and all smooth-bores.

131. Size of the grain is required to conform to the following:

Pass through No. 1 }
Remain on No. 2 } all Rifle.
Pass through No. 2 }
Remain on No. 3 } all Cannon.
Pass through No. 4 }
Remain on No. 5 } all Musket.

Ten per cent. variation tolerated.

132. GRAVIMETRIC DENSITY, is the weight of a given measured quantity: it is usually expressed by the weight of a cubic foot in ounces.

This cannot be relied on for the true density, as the size and shape of the grain may make the denser powder seem the lighter.

Cannon powder should have a gravimetric density of about 875 oz., and not exceeding 900 oz., to the cubic foot. (It actually varies with different makers from 875 to 975.)

133. SPECIFIC GRAVITY.--The specific gravity of gunpowder is between 1.70 and 1.75.

All the powder of any lot being made of the same mill-cake, the specific gravities are equal although the gravimetric densities may vary.

134. Powder for small arms, or musket powder, should all pass through No. 4, none through No. 5, and average from 2,000 to 2,500 kernels in tea grains Troy.

All powder should be well glazed; for small arms more highly than for cannon.

135. The system of granulation adopted by the Army differs from that of the Navy, as follows:

ALL THROUGH-- ALL ON-- Mammoth 0.9 in. 0.6 in. Cannon 0.35 0.25 Mortar 0.10 0.06 Musket 0.06 0.03

It will be seen by this Table that under the Army nomenclature, Navy Rifle nearly corresponds to Army Cannon; that the Army Mortar is the nearest equivalent to Navy Cannon, but with much more fine grain, as it is what passes through the cannon-sieve, but remains on the musket-sieve; and that the Navy Musket has the same size for the larger grain, but contains more small grain than the Army.

In exchanging powder with the Army, it is necessary to attend to these distinctions.

136. Powder-houses or magazines on shore are to be inspected by the Ordnance Officers at least once in every week, and every precaution taken to guard them against danger of explosion, and to preserve the powder dry and in good condition.

137. Powder-barrels in magazines, where there are no racks, should be placed on their sides, with their marked ends towards the alleys, three tiers high, or four tiers, if necessary, with small skids on the floor and between the several tiers of barrels, using chocks at intervals on the lower skids to prevent the barrels from rolling. If it can be avoided, fixed ammunition should not be put in the same magazine with powder in barrels.

138. If it is necessary to pile the barrels more than four tiers high, the upper tiers should be supported by a frame resting on the floor; or the barrels may be placed on their heads, with boards between the tiers.

There should be an unencumbered space of 6 or 8 feet square at the doors of the magazine.

139. Whenever practicable, the barrels should be arranged in double rows, with a passage-way between the rows, so that the marks on each barrel may be seen at a glance, and any barrel easily reached.

140. Besides being recorded in the magazine-book, each lot of powder should be inscribed on a ticket attached to the lot showing the entries and the issues.

141. Magazines should be opened and aired in clear, dry weather, the ventilators kept free, and no shrubbery or trees allowed to grow so near as to shade the building from the sun.

142. The moisture of a magazine may be absorbed by chloride of lime, or charcoal, suspended in an open box under the arch, and renewed from time to time. The use of quicklime is dangerous, and forbidden.

143. When powder is handled in powder-houses on shore, either for the purpose of inspection or preparation for delivery to ships, the baize-cloth is to be spread, and the people, before entering the magazine, must divest themselves of every metal implement, empty their pockets, that nothing likely to produce fire may escape detection, and put on the magazine dresses and slippers. The barrels must be opened only on the floor-cloth, and no metallic setter used in driving either copper or wooden hoops.

Powder-barrels should never be opened except when required for use, as grains of powder falling between the staves would prevent their being tightened. Samples must be taken from the bung.

144. The attention of the Inspectors of Ordnance and Commanders of vessels is called to the Regulations regarding the stowage and service of powder and loaded shells in Magazines and Shell-rooms, ashore and afloat, and to the precautions which must be observed by every one who enters, or approaches for the purpose of entering, any Magazine or Shell-room.

The former Regulations are modified so far as to dispense entirely with the use of slippers made of either India-rubber or woollen; and in lieu thereof, slippers made wholly of buckskin or cotton canvas will be used in future. In hot climates, or in warm weather generally, the naked feet are preferred.

The terrible effect of the explosion of a Magazine or Shell-room, ashore or on board ship, can only be imagined. To avert it, by every human precaution, is an imperative duty with every one. The Bureau therefore directs that the Inspectors of Ordnance on shore and the Commanders of all vessels afloat will cause the existing Powder Regulations to be read, and copies placed within the reach of every officer and man connected in the remotest degree with the service of the Magazine and Shell-rooms; and no officer or other person is to be continued in such service who cannot within a reasonable time answer clearly and fully any questions relating to the requirements of existing Powder Regulations as contained in these "Ordnance Instructions."

145. The powder in barrels should be turned from time to time, at least as often as every three months, and, being arranged as mentioned above, the oldest powder will be at all times accessible for first delivery without disturbing that of more recent manufacture.

146. When powder is sent on board any vessel at the Yard, an Ordnance Officer or the Gunner is to see it properly stowed, and the Ordnance Officer is to hand to the Captain of the vessel a statement showing the quantity of powder, number and capacity of tanks, kind of charges contained in each, with the initial velocity, maker, and date of reception, with a list of small-arm and boat ammunition, fireworks, filled and other shells and projectiles, together with all the information directed by the three articles immediately following, with such remarks as he may deem proper to secure better precaution or more convenient arrangement, with a request that the memorandum, or a copy of it, may be delivered to the Ordnance Officer at the Yard where the vessel is refitted or laid up at the end of the cruise.

147. When cartridges are filled for issue to any vessel, the powder should be selected, as far as practicable, from deliveries made by the same person, and at the same time or date; and the tanks in which they are stowed must be marked with white paint on the upper sides, with the same marks as the barrels from which the powder was taken, giving the date of manufacture and the maker's name.

148. Great irregularities having been observed in the weights of cartridges supplied from different stations, it is ordered that at least ten measures shall be weighed at each filling, and allowance made for different densities. (See Art. 171.)

149. Whenever powder is returned into the powder-houses from vessels, and the powder emptied from the cartridges, care must be taken to have the barrels or other vessels in which the powder may be placed marked in the same manner and registered in the Magazine Ledger, so that the maker's name and date of manufacture of all powder may be correctly known and carefully preserved for reference.

150. The names of vessels from which powder is received, the length of time which the powder has been on board, and the station on which the vessel has been employed, should also be noted and reported by the Ordnance Officer, that reference may be had to the notes in case it should be desired in subsequent examinations of the powder.

151. In some instances where powder has been condemned by survey, it has been directed to be thrown overboard. This should never be done; the nitre contained, which forms three-fourths (3/4) of the powder, is still perfectly good, and can be made serviceable. In future, condemned powder is always to be returned to the United States.

152. The Ordnance Officers, when they supply vessels with powder, or remove any from them, must report to the Bureau by the earliest opportunity all the information which is required to be noted by Articles 147, 149, 150, immediately preceding; and when powder is received from vessels returning from cruises, or after it has been long embarked, they are to forward to the Ordnance Yard, Washington, a sample of two pounds and one-fourth, properly labelled, for every five hundred pounds landed, selected so as to show fair average samples of the whole, in order that its strength may be ascertained by the pendulum.

153. In case of necessity, powder for saluting may be purchased abroad in order to preserve a supply of our own proof powder for battle.

154. When a vessel is about to leave a foreign station and return directly to the United States, and other vessels belonging to the Navy are left on the station without a full supply of powder, the vessel which is about to leave may be directed to transfer to those remaining on the station any excess of powder that may be on board beyond fifty rounds.

155. Should it become necessary to use powder for service charges which has not been regularly inspected and proved in the manner required by regulations, such tests of it must be made as circumstances will admit.

The ranges given by it may be compared with those of service powder of known good quality under the same circumstances. If deficient in strength, the quantity of the charges should be increased until the ranges are equalized, in order that the sight-bars may still indicate the proper elevations for each charge and distance.

156. It is directed that vessels of war shall always receive their powder and loaded shells in the stream; unless, upon some great emergency, the nature of which shall be reported to the Bureau, it is deemed essential to put them on board at the Navy Yard.

157. When receiving or landing powder, the red flag is to be always hoisted at the fore, and all proper precautions taken to guard against accidents from fires and lights. The tanks should be passed through the ports most convenient to the magazines, and landed on mats, to prevent injury.

The red flag is always to be hoisted at the powder-houses when they are opened, and kept flying until they are closed.

158. When avoidable, gunpowder is not to be sent from vessels to powder-houses, nor from powder-houses to vessels, in wet weather, nor when there is a probability of wetting the barrels or cases; and the packages must be conveyed in covered boats or wagons showing a red flag.

159. The wharf or landing-place must be spread with old canvas, so that the barrels or cases may not come in contact with and convey sand or gravel to the powder-house. The barrels must not be rolled, but carried in slings to the trucks running on tramways of either wood or bronze, into the magazine.

160. The service charges for the different calibres and classes of naval smooth-bore guns now used in the Navy are as follows, and the cartridges are to be filled accordingly, viz.:

SERVICE CHARGES FOR NAVAL GUNS.

KEY:

A: For distant firing, 0.1 B: For ordinary firing, 0.6 C: For near firing or two projectiles, 0.3 D: DIAMETER OF CARTRIDGE-GAUGE. E: SALUTING CHARGES, NO. 50.

| CHARGES OF NAVY | | ORDNANCE. | POWDER. | | -----------------------------------+-----+-----+-------+ D | E Calibre. | Weight. | A | B | C | | ----------------------+------------+-----+-----+-------+--------------+----- | lbs. | lbs.| lbs.| lbs. | Cylindrical. |lbs. X-inch or 130-pounder | 16,000 lbs.| 30. | 18. | 15. | 9.00 inches. | 6. 64-pounder | 106 cwt. | 16. | 12. | 8. | 7.00 inches. | 4. 32-pounder | 61 cwt. | 10. | 8. | 6. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 57 cwt. | 9. | 8. | 6. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 51 cwt. | 8. | 7. | 5. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 46 cwt. | 7 | 7. | 5. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 42 cwt. | 6. | 6. | 4. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 33 cwt. | 4.5| 4.5| 4. | 5.50 inches. | 4. 32 do. | 27 cwt. | 4. | 4. | 3. | 5.50 inches. | 3. | | | | | | Shell-guns | | | | For | Conical. | | | | | near | | | | | |firing.| | XV-inch | 42,000 lbs.| 50. | 35. | 35. | | XI-inch | 15,700 lbs.| 20. | 15. | 15. |11 x 5.5 x 11 | 7. X-inch | 12,000 lbs.| 15. | 12.5| 12.5 |10 x 5. x 10 | 6. IX-inch | 9,000 lbs.| 13. | 10. | 10. | 9 x 4.5 x 9 | 5. 8-inch | 6,500 lbs.| 7. | 7. | 7. | 8 x 5. x 8 | 4. 32-pounder | 4,500 lbs.| 6. | 6. | 6. | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cylindrical. | 8-inch | 63 cwt. | 9. | 8. | 6. | 5.50 | 4. 8-inch | 55 cwt. | 7. | 7. | 6. | 5.50 | 4. ----------------------+------------+-----+-----+-------+--------------+-----

N.B.--Two projectiles are not to be fired from any gun at the same time, except at objects within 200 yards' distance, and only when the advantages at the moment may be deemed by the Captain sufficient to justify the risk of injuring the guns and their equipments by the extra strain to which they will be exposed.

With the 15-inch guns at close quarters against iron-clads, 60 lbs. and a solid shot _may_ be used for 20 rounds. So also with the 11-inch, 30 lbs. and a solid shot. With all the other guns, under like circumstances, and where penetration is desired, the _distant_ firing charges should be substituted for the _near_ firing.

Of the service charges, one-tenth shall be for distant firing, six-tenths for ordinary firing, three-tenths for near firing, or for two projectiles. Saluting charges to be of under-proof powder.

The calibre and class of guns for which the cartridges are intended must be distinctly marked near the top of the lid end of the tanks.

161. TABLE OF CHARGES FOR NAVY RIFLE GUNS.

----------+------------------------------+--------------------------------
| ORDNANCE. | CHARGE OF POWDER.
+------------------------------+--------------------------------
GUN. | | | | | |Diameter of
| Calibre.| Diameter | Weight. | Weight. | Kind. | Cartridge-
| | of Bore. | | | | Gauge.
----------+---------+----------+---------+---------+---------+------------
| Pounder.| Inches. | Lbs. | Lbs. | | Inches.
Parrott | 100 | 6.40 | 9,700 | 8. | Rifle. | 5.50
Do. | 60 | 5.30 | 5,400 | 6. | Rifle. | 4.60
Do. | 30 | 4.20 | 3,550 | 3.25 | Cannon. | 3.70
Do. | 20 | 3.67 | 1,750 | 2. | Cannon. | 3.25
Dahlgren | 20 | 4.00 | 1,340 | 2. | Cannon. |
Do. | 12 | 3.40 | 880 | 1. | Cannon. |
----------+---------+----------+---------+---------+---------+------------

162. POWDER-TANKS.

------------+---------------------------+----------------+--------------- | EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS. | | +---------------------------+ | CAPACITY OF| Height | | | APPROXIMATE TANK FOR |in inches| | WEIGHT, WHEN | WEIGHT, WHEN POWDER IN |including| | EMPTY. | FILLED WITH GRAIN. | Lid and | Sides in inches.| | CYLINDERS. | Handle. | | | ------------+---------+-----------------+----------------+--------------- 200 pounds | 22-1/4 | 16-1/2 x 16-1/2 | 67-1/2 pounds. |218 Pounds. 150 pounds | 22-1/8 | 15 x 15 | 59-1/2 pounds. |170 to 180 lbs. 100 pounds | 20-1/2 | 13 x 13 | | 50 pounds | 16-3/4 | 10-1/4 x 10-1/4 | | ------------+---------+-----------------+----------------+---------------

163. ACCOMMODATION AFFORDED BY POWDER-TANKS OF DIFFERENT SIZES FOR CARTRIDGES OF VARIOUS KINDS WHEN CLOSELY PACKED.

-----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+ CAPACITY OF | | TANK FOR POWDER | WILL STOW CARTRIDGES AS FOLLOWS: | IN GRAIN. | | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ DENOMINATION. | lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| | 20 | 16 | 15 | 12.5| 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 200 pounds. | 9 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 150 pounds. | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 100 pounds. | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 50 pounds. | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Powder-barrel. | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

-----------------+-----------------------------------------------+ CAPACITY OF | | TANK FOR POWDER | WILL STOW CARTRIDGES AS FOLLOWS: | IN GRAIN. | | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ DENOMINATION. | lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| lbs.| | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3.25| 3 | 2 | 1.85| 1 | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+ 200 pounds. | 36 | 40 | 45 | 52 | 60 | 95 | 100 | 190 | 150 pounds. | 27 | 30 | 36 | 40 | 45 | 71 | 72 | 145 | 100 pounds. | 18 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 31 | 46 | 48 | 95 | 50 pounds. | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 21 | 23 | 46 | Powder-barrel. | -- | -- | 26 | -- | 35 | 52 | 55 | 108 | -----------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

FIXED AMMUNITION FOR BOAT GUNS AND SMALL ARMS.

164. The charges for "boat and field howitzers" are--

lbs.
For the 24-pounder of 1,310 lbs. 2.00
For the medium 12-pounder of 760 lbs. 1.00
For the light 12-pounder of 430 lbs. 0.625

165. DIMENSIONS OF BOXES FOR BOAT AMMUNITION.

PROJECTILES WITH CHARGE OF POWDER FOR HOWITZER ATTACHED, NOT TO BE STOWED IN THE MAGAZINE.

-------------+-----------+-----------+-----------------+--------------+ CALIBRE | KIND OF |NUMBER OF | DIMENSION OF | WEIGHT, IN | OF BOAT |PROJECTILE.|PROJECTILES| BOXES, IN | POUNDS. | HOWITZER. | | BOX | INCHES. |--------------| | | CONTAINS. | |Empty.|Filled.| -------------+-----------+-----------+-----------------+------+-------+ 24-Pdr. | Shrapnel | 9 |22 x 20.75 | | | | | | by 13.75 high |35-1/3|270-1/2| 24-Pdr. | Canister | 9 |22 x 20.75 | | | | | | by 13.50 high |36-1/3|217-5/6| 12-pdr. heavy| Shrapnel | 9 |18.75 x 17.75 | | | | | | by 11.13 high |22-7/8|140-1/2| 12-pdr. heavy| Canister | 9 |18.75 x 17.75 | | | | | | by 12.25 high |25-1/2|114-3/4| -------------+-----------+-----------+-----------------+------+-------+

166. The cartridges for small arms are to contain the following quantities of powder:

For muskets 70 grains, Troy. For muskets (marine) 60 grains, Troy. For pistols 30 grains, Troy. For revolvers 18 grains, Troy.

The ball-cartridges for rifles and rifled muskets are to be made with a single Minie ball.

167. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS AND CONTENTS OF BOXES

FOR SMALL-ARM AMMUNITION AND FIREWORKS.

------------------------+--------------------------+----------+------------ | EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS. | | ARTICLES. +--------+--------+--------+ EACH BOX | REMARKS. | Length.| Width. | Depth. | CONTAINS | ------------------------+--------+--------+--------+----------+------------ | Inches.| Inches.| Inches.| | Musket-ball cartridges | 12-1/2 | 8-1/4 | 8-1/4 | 500 | Musket blank cartridges | 9-5/8 | 7-3/4 | 8-1/2 | 500 | Carbine rifle-ball | | | | | cartridges | 14-1/2 | 9-1/4 | 7-3/8 | 1000 | Pistol-ball cartridges | 13-3/4 | 6-3/4 | 7-1/4 | 1000 | Blue-lights | 20-1/2 | 13 | 6-7/8 | 30 | False lights | 20-1/2 | 13 | 6-7/8 | 30 | Port-fires | 19-3/4 | 10-1/4 | 10-1/4 | 100 |First size. Port-fires | 19-3/4 | 10-1/4 | 6-1/4 | 50 |Second size. Signal rockets | 15-1/4 | 9-1/2 | 8-1/4 | 30 | Percussion-caps | 11-3/4 | 9-1/4 | 7-3/8 | 6300 | ------------------------+--------+--------+--------+----------+------------

N.B.--There is a variation in the dimensions of the above boxes, as made, of 1/3 of an inch, on an average, in their exteriors.

168. Percussion-caps and bullets for small arms will be supplied from the Ordnance Yard at Washington.

169. The boxes in which cartridges for small arms, caps, primers, etc., are packed for distribution to vessels, are to be marked with the number they contain, and the kind of arm for which they are intended. At the expiration of the cruise they must be carefully returned into store, and the Gunner will be held peculiarly responsible for their loss.

170. Standard powder-measures for filling cartridges for great guns will be made at the Ordnance Yard, Washington, and distributed as they may be required for the use of vessels and shore magazines. As the gravimetric density of powder varies from 860 to 940, the weight of the contents of ten measures should be ascertained for each lot, and allowance made accordingly before filling the cartridges.

171. In taking the weights, the powder is to be scooped up from the filling-chest with the measure until it is heaped, tapped twice moderately on the sides with the palms of the hands, and then struck with a wooden straight-edge. If the weight differs materially from that marked on the measure, a small compensating measure should be used to supply the deficiency or remove the excess.

CANNON-PRIMERS.

172. These are of two kinds, percussion and friction. Each percussion-primer is composed of a quill tube capped by an explosive wafer. The quills used for this purpose are first inspected by passing them through a gauge rather smaller than the vent.

The tube is filled with fine-grained powder.

The wafer is composed of a cap of cartridge-paper, enclosing a layer of fulminate of mercury combined with a small quantity of mealed powder. When pressed and perfectly dry, the wafer is coated with uncolored shellac, to preserve it from dampness.

173. Primers are to be kept in tin boxes containing fifty each, the lids of which are luted with shellac to exclude moisture until wanted for immediate use. These boxes are intended to fit in and form a lining to the primer-boxes which slip on the waist-belts worn by Captains of guns. For purposes of exercise no more of these boxes should be opened than are required; but for action a full box should be delivered to each Captain and 2d Captain of a gun.

174. A friction-primer consists of a tube charged with gunpowder, to the top of which is fastened a spur containing friction-powder, which is exploded by means of a slider pulled out by a lanyard. It is intended for use in case the lock should be out of order, or the other primers fail from any unforeseen cause. Friction-primers are packed in tin boxes in the same manner as percussion-primers. They are obtained from the Army as required.

175. Filled boxes of primers are kept in close laboratory cases, for which stowage must be provided in the general store-room of the ship, or other safe place.[1] They are on no account to be placed in the magazine, and the boxes must be so labelled before being put on board ship.

176. When primers have been returned from cruising ships, or have remained in store for one or more years, they must be tested by firing five per cent. of the number, and not issued again without special orders.

177. Damaged fuzes, primers, caps, and tubes, are always to be returned to the Ordnance Yard at Washington, in the condition in which they were received on the return of the ship.

178. The boxes containing metallic cartridges for breech-loading arms require the same care as percussion-caps, and are to be labelled, "On no account to be placed in the magazine."

179. PERCUSSION-CAPS for muskets, carbines, and pistols are made in the laboratory at the Washington Navy Yard. They are put up in small packages of water-proof paper, labelled with the number contained in the package and the date of fabrication, and stowed in tin cases containing 350 caps each.

180. Laboratory boxes, in which these are packed, are of the following dimensions: 11-3/4 x 9-1/4 x 7-3/8 inches, and will contain 6,300 percussion-caps each. These boxes are to be labelled, "On no account to be placed in the magazine." Stowage is provided for them in the general store-room.

CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

181. The material of which cartridge-bags are made is woven expressly for the purpose, and furnished by the Bureau of Ordnance as required. The color is white, and the calibre of the gun and the weight of the charge must be stencilled on the bag in figures two and a half (2-1/2) inches long. When procured of necessity elsewhere, the stuff should be chosen of wool, entirely free from any mixture of thread or cotton, and of sufficiently close texture to prevent the finer particles of powder from sifting through. Wildbore, rattinet, merino, and bombazette are named as proper materials for cartridge-bags; of these the thinnest stuff, not twilled, but having the requisite strength and closeness of texture, is the best.

182. MAKING CARTRIDGE-BAGS.--Cartridge-bags for cylindrical chambers are made of a rectangle to form the cylinder, and a circular piece to form the bottom. The flat patterns, by which the cartridge-bags for the 8-inch and 32-pounder guns are cut, are, consequently, to be made rectangular for the cylindrical part of the bag, and circular for the bottom. The length of the rectangle is equal to the development of the cylinder, together with the allowance for seam; and its width, to the whole length of the bag before sewing, including the allowance for seam and tie.

Special patterns are furnished for those of XV-in., XI-in., X-in., IX-in., 8-inch of 6,500 lbs., and 32-pounder of 4,500 lbs. shell-guns, all of which have gomer chambers.

183. DIMENSIONS OF FLAT PATTERNS FOR CUTTING OUT CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

TO BE MADE OF PINE FOR THE 8-INCH AND 32-PDR. GUNS, AND OF METAL PLATES FOR THE "GOMER" CHAMBERS OF OTHER GUNS.[2]

------------------------------+---------------+-----------------+
| 10-INCH, | 64-PDR. GUN |
DIMENSIONS. | OR | OF 106 CWT. |
| 130-POUNDER. | 8-IN. RIFLE. |
------------------------------+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----+
Charges lbs.| 30 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 8 |
Width of rectangle | | | | | | |
(length of bag cut), | | | | | | |
including tie and | | | | | | |
four-tenths of an inch | | | | | | |
for seam. in.| 20 | 15.2| 14 | 18.7| 15.7| 12.7|
| ------^-------|--------^------- |
| Inches. | Inches. |
Length of rectangle | | |
(cylinder developed), | | |
including eight-tenths | | |
of an inch for seam. | 29.01 | 23.80 |
Radius of circular pattern | | |
of bottom, including | | |
four-tenths of an inch | | |
for seam. | 4.9 | 3.60 |
Diameters of cylindrical | | |
formers for inspection | | |
of cartridge-bags. | 9.00 | 7.00 |
Additional length for | | |
one pound of powder. | 0.40 | 0.80 |
------------------------------+---------------+-----------------+

------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
| 100-POUNDER RIFLE, 32-POUNDER GUN,
DIMENSIONS. | AND 8-INCH SHELL-GUNS, HAVING
| CHAMBERS OF 32-POUNDER CALIBRE.
------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----
Charges lbs.| 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4.5| 4 |3
Width of rectangle | | | | | | | | |
(length of bag cut), | | | | | | | | |
including tie and | | | | | | | | |
four-tenths of an inch | | | | | | | | |
for seam. in.|16.6|14.6|18.0|12.6|11.6|10.6|10.1| 9.6|8.6
| ------------------^-----------------------
| Inches.
Length of rectangle |
(cylinder developed), |
including eight-tenths |
of an inch for seam. | 18.10
Radius of circular pattern |
of bottom, including |
four-tenths of an inch |
for seam. | 2.95
Diameters of cylindrical |
formers for inspection |
of cartridge-bags. | 5.50
Additional length for |
one pound of powder. | 1.22
------------------------------+--------------------------------------------

184. DETAILS OF CARTRIDGE-BAGS.

SHELL-GUNS WITH CONICAL CHAMBERS.

---------------------------------+-----------------+-----------+----------+ | | | | CALIBRE OF GUN. | XV-IN. | XI-IN. | X-IN. | ---------------------------------+-----------------+-----------+----------+ Charge of powder. lbs.| 35. | 50. | 60. |20. |15. |15. |12.5 | Diameter of cartridge. | | | | | | | | large end. | 13.5| 13.5|13.5 | 9.85| 9.85| 9. | 9. | small end. | - | - | - | 5.50| 5.50| 5. | 5. | Width of stuff required to | | | | | | | | cut bag. in.| 24. | 28. |30. |22. |20. |20. |20. | Whole length of bag cut, | | | | | | | | including tie and seam. | 21.5| 25.5|27.5 |10. |17.5 |18.5|17.75| Length of filled cartridge. in.| 12. | 15.5|18. |12. |10.5 |10. | 9. | Additional length for one | | | | | | | | pound of powder. in.| | | | | | | | Quantity of stuff required | | | | | | | | to cut one hundred bags. yds.|122. |122. |122. |92. |92. |86. |86. | ---------------------------------+-----------------+-----------+----------+

---------------------------------+---------------+----------+-----------+ | | 8-IN. OF | 32-PR. OF | CALIBRE OF GUN. | IX-IN. | 6500. | 4500. | ---------------------------------+-------+-------+----------+-----------+ Charge of powder. lbs.| 13. | 10. | 7. | 6. | Diameter of cartridge. | | | | | large end. | 8.13 | 8.13 | 7.25 | 6. | small end. | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4. | 8.5 | Width of stuff required to | | | | | cut bag. in.| 18. | 18. | 24. | 22. | Whole length of bag cut, | | | | | including tie and seam. | 16.5 | 15.5 | 12.0 | 11.0 | Length of filled cartridge. in.| 11.5 | 10.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 | Additional length for one | | | | | pound of powder. in.| | | | | Quantity of stuff required | | | | | to cut one hundred bags. yds.| 78. | 78. | 30. | 30. | ---------------------------------+-------+-------+----------+-----------+

In cutting, the length of the rectangle should be taken in the direction of the length of the stuff, as it does not stretch in that direction, and the material should be chosen, as nearly as possible, of the width required for the length of the bags, to save waste in cutting.

The bags are to be sewed with worsted yarn, with not less than eight stitches to an inch; they must be stitched within four-tenths of an inch of each edge, and the two edges of the seam felled down upon the same side, to prevent the powder from sifting through. The edges of the bottom are felled down upon the sides.

The bags, when filled, must be tied with woollen thrums.

185. CARTRIDGE-BAGS FOR SALUTING CHARGES.--Old cartridge-bags which have been condemned for service charges are to be repaired and used for saluting charges; and whenever it is necessary to make bags expressly for the purpose, or for immediate use, they may be formed by sewing together two rectangular pieces with semicircular ends.

186. INSPECTION.--The material especially procured for cartridge-bags is to be carefully inspected to detect any mixture of cotton with the wool, by burning a few bits taken at hazard from each piece; or, by dissolving it in a solution of 1 ounce of caustic potassa in a pint of water--the cloth to be put in when the water is boiling, which is to continue until dissolution takes place. The texture of the stuff is also to be examined and its strength tried, such standard for the latter being established as may be found sufficient to insure perfect efficiency.

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.