settlements in India, on the Coromandel coast, 83 miles south-southwest
from Madras. Pondicherry was first settled by the French in 1674, they
having purchased the town two years before from the rajah of Bejapoor.
The Dutch took the town in 1693; but by the treaty of Ryswick it was
restored to the French in 1697. In 1748 it was besieged by the English
under Admiral Boscawen, who, two months later, was compelled to raise
the siege. In 1758, Count de Lally became governor-general, and attacked
the English settlement of Fort St. David, which surrendered, and was
totally destroyed. In 1761 it was taken by the English, under Col.
Coote. By the peace of Paris, Pondicherry was restored to the French in
1763 with reduced territory. It was again taken by the English under Sir
Hector Monro in 1778, and restored in 1783. In 1793 the English again
repossessed themselves of Pondicherry, but the treaty of Amiens in 1802
again restored it, but only till the following year. From this time it
was held by the English till, by the treaties of 1814 and 1815, it was
for the last time restored to France, reduced to the narrow limits
assigned by the treaty of 1783.
=Poniard.= A pointed instrument for stabbing; borne in the hand, or at
the girdle, or in the pocket; a small dagger.
=Poniard.= To pierce with a poniard; to stab.
=Pont à Noyelles.= At this place near Amiens, France, took place a
fierce indecisive conflict lasting from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. between the
Germans under Manteuffel and the French Army of the North under
Faidherbe, December 23, 1870. Both sides claimed a victory.
=Pontefract=, or =Pomfret=. A town of England, in the West Riding of
Yorkshire, near the river Aire, and 21 miles southwest from York. Its
castle, which was finished in 1080, was taken after three successive and
desperate sieges, by the Parliamentary army, and demolished by order of
the Parliament.
=Pontia= (now _Ponza_). A rocky island off the coast of Latium, opposite
Formiæ, which was taken by the Romans from the Volscians, and colonized,
313 B.C. Under the Romans it was used as a place of banishment for state
criminals. There is a group of smaller islands round Pontia which are
sometimes called Insulæ Pontiæ.
=Pontianak.= The capital of the kingdom of the same name on the west
coast of Borneo, is situated near the junction of the Landak and Kapuas.
There has been constant war on the southeast coast of the kingdom since
1859. The interior of the kingdom was very much disturbed in 1864.
=Pontifical States.= See PAPAL STATES.
=Pontones.= Ancient square-built ferry-boats for passing rivers, as
described by Cæsar and Aulus Gellius.
=Pontonier=, or =Pontonnier=. A soldier having the charge of
constructing bridges.
=Pontons.= A kind of portable boats specially adapted for the formation
of floating bridges required by armies. They are constructed in various
ways, of wood, metal, or prepared canvas, stretched over frames made for
the purpose (the latter it is said are much in favor), and have the
necessary gear placed with them for transport. The ponton used in the
U. S. army is constructed as follows:
The _ponton frame_ is composed of two side frames, of twelve narrow and
of two wide transoms. The former are strengthened at the ends by iron
straps, which are countersunk and perfectly smooth; all the edges of the
frame and transoms are well rounded to prevent chafing the canvas. The
wide transoms are of 10-inch by 1¹⁄₂-inch plank, provided with tenons to
fit the mortises in the frame. The narrow transoms are of 4-inch by
2¹⁄₂-inch scantling. The articles of each of the above classes are made
exactly alike, so that they may be interchanged. Two of the narrow
transoms are provided with an iron mooring becket.
The frame when assembled is held together by a rope passed through the
rings in the ends of the side frame, and tightened with a rack-stick.
The _ponton cover_ is of 0000 cotton duck, double-seamed, with the
border double for 1¹⁄₂ inches in width. The clew-line eyelets are of
metal. The lashings are of 1-inch rope 18 feet in length, and looped at
one end, and the cable used is of 3-inch Manilla rope, 30 fathoms long.
_Bridge Equipage._--The United States bridge equipage is composed of
reserve and of advance-guard trains. The former are intended to
accompany large bodies of troops in the field, and are provided with the
material necessary for the construction of bridges of sufficient
capacity to pass large armies with their heaviest trains over rivers of
any size and rapidity.
The advance-guard equipage is intended for the use of light troops, such
as advance-guards, cavalry expeditions, etc. It is organized, both as
regards material and carriages, with a view to rapidity of movement. At
the same time, it is capable of furnishing a bridge which will fulfill
all the requirements of troops engaged on such service.
_Organization._--The reserve equipage is divided into trains, each of
which is composed of four ponton divisions and one supply division. Each
division is accompanied by tool-wagon and traveling-forge.
Each _ponton division_ is complete in itself, containing all the
material necessary for constructing a bridge of eleven bays, or 225 feet
in length.
Each of these divisions is subdivided into four sections, two of which
are ponton and two abutment sections; the former contain three
ponton-wagons and one chess-wagon; the latter, one ponton-, one chess-,
and one trestle-wagon each.
The ponton section contains the material for three bays, and should
never be subdivided. The division may be increased or diminished at
pleasure, by the changing the number of its ponton sections.
The carriages are loaded as follows: Each ponton-wagon contains 1
ponton, 7 long balks, 1 anchor, 1 cable, 5 oars, 2 boat-hooks, 20
lashings, 6 rack-sticks, 1 scoop-shovel, 2 small scoops, 1 axe, 1
hatchet, 1 bucket, and 20 pounds of spun yarn.
Each trestle-wagon (identical with ponton-wagon) contains 7 long balks,
7 trestle balks, 1 trestle complete, 2 abutment sills, 2 coils of 3-inch
rope.
Each chess-wagon contains 60 chess.
The forge is identical with forge A furnished by the ordnance
department.
Each tool-wagon contains 50 axes, 20 shovels, 20 spades, 15 picks, 25
hatchets, 4 broad-axes, 4 adzes, 4 cross-cut saws, 12 augers (assorted),
2 crow-bars, 2 calking-irons, 12 tin lanterns, 2 monkey-wrenches, 1
sledge, 1 steel square, 1 grindstone, 1 spirit-level, 1 coil telegraph
wire, 1 coil 3-inch rope, 1 coil 1-inch rope, 1 coil spun yarn, 50
pounds iron (assorted), 25 pounds paint, 6 paint-brushes, 1 dozen chalk
lines, 1 pound red chalk, 4 pounds white chalk, 6 sail-needles, 1 palm,
6 balls twine, 50 pounds 6-inch spikes, 100 pounds 6-, 8-, 10- and
20-penny nails, 2 sets blocks and falls, 2 gross each of 1-, 2- and
5-inch screws, 1 roll canvas, 20 pounds calking cotton. Also 4 boxes of
carpenters’ and saddlers’ tools nearly identical with those furnished by
the ordnance department for battery-wagon C. If desirable, extra stores
to the amount of 500 pounds may be added to the load.
The _supply division_ is provided with articles necessary to replace
material lost or worn out, such as balk, chess, spare parts of
carriages, a few complete carriages, etc.
The carriages of this division consist of ponton-, chess-, and
tool-wagons, and of forges. Their number and proportion will be
determined by the nature of the country in which the army is operating,
and by the proximity of the main depot.
The ponton-wagon contains 17 long and 7 trestle balks. The chess-wagon,
60 chess. Tool-wagon No. 1 carries the same load as that attached to a
ponton division. Tool-wagon No. 2 contains 80 rack-collars; of 6-, 8-,
10-, and 20-penny nails, 2 kegs each; of 4- and 6-inch spikes, 2 kegs
each; of 1-, 2-, and 5-inch screws, 4 gross each; of 1- and 3-inch rope,
2 coils each.
The loads may be increased to the extent that circumstances will permit,
by adding spare parts of carriages.
The forges are of the patterns A and B issued by the ordnance
department.
_Advance-guard Equipage._--The trains of this equipage are composed of 4
ponton divisions, each of which consists of 8 ponton-, 2 chess-, and 2
trestle-wagons.
The load of the _ponton-wagon_ consists of 7 balks, 16 chess, 2 side
frames, 1 cable, 1 anchor, and a ponton-chest containing 1 ponton cover,
14 transoms, 5 paddles, 2 scoops, 2 mallets, 20 lashings, 2 boat-hooks,
1 scoop-shovel, and 8 rack-sticks.
The _chess-wagon_ contains 50 chess and 2 spare ponton covers.
The trestle-wagon carries 14 balks, 1 trestle complete, 1 abutment sill,
and 1 coil of 3-inch rope and 1 of 1-inch rope.
The forge is forge A of the ordnance department.
When necessary, this load may be reduced by transferring a part of the
tools and coal to a forage-wagon.
The ponton-wagon carries all the material necessary for constructing a
complete bay. The division may, therefore, be increased or diminished by
one or more ponton-wagons without disorganizing it. When a forced march
is to be made, and it is desirable to lighten the loads, the chess may
be removed from the ponton-wagons, the rope from the trestle-wagons, and
the load of the chess-wagons may be reduced to 40 chess. The number of
the latter wagons in this case must be increased to five.
The tool-wagon is loaded with the necessary tools, materials, etc.,
suitable to the advance-guard equipage.
There are four methods of constructing a ponton-bridge: by successive
pontons; by parts; by rafts; and by conversion.
_By Successive Pontons._--The location of the bridge having been
selected, the ponton-wagons are brought as near the river-bank as
practicable, with the rear of the carriage toward the stream. The
pontons are unlashed and slid from the wagon-bed into the water; cables
are attached to the anchors; one of the former is coiled in the bow of
each ponton with its anchor on the top, the flukes projecting over the
gunwale.
Those pontons which cast up-stream anchors are moored above the approach
to the bridge, and the others below.
A trench about 1 foot in width and depth is excavated to receive the
abutment sill; this should be laid horizontally, and exactly
perpendicular to the axis of the bridge; it is secured by four pickets,
two driven in front and two in rear, about 8 inches from each end. A
ponton is brought up opposite to the abutment, and close to the shore.
The ponton is then pushed off and adjusted in its place by means of
shore-lines, which are made fast to mooring-posts.
As soon as the first set of balks is laid, a chess is placed on edge in
the trench above mentioned, and in contact with the ends of the balks.
Its upper edge should be 1¹⁄₂ inches above the balks. Earth is rammed
behind it, crowding it firmly against the balks. The chess is then laid
on.
The ponton which has cast the first up-stream anchor, having dropped
down to the head of the bridge, is entered by the pontoniers. Five balks
are then brought up and delivered to the lashers in the second ponton,
which is pushed off; the shore ends of the balks are delivered to the
lashers in the first ponton, who place them on the down-stream side, and
in contact with those of the first set, their cleats against the outside
of the interior gunwale. They lash the balks firmly together and to the
lashing-hooks at both gunwales, and then step into the third ponton.
When a bay is covered with chess, the side-rails are laid. They are
placed directly over the outside balks, to which they are lashed at
three points,--at the middle and immediately over the axis of each
ponton, at which point the two side-rails and balks of two bays lap and
are all lashed together.
In constructing a ponton-bridge there are two points that require
particular attention: the anchorage, and the lashing; the men who are
intrusted with their execution should be selected from the most
intelligent and experienced pontoniers in the command.
_The Anchorage._--The distance of the anchor from the bridge should be
at least ten times the depth of the stream; with a less distance the
bows of the ponton would sink too deeply in the water.
The direction of the cable when made fast to the bridge must coincide
with that of the current,--_i.e._, a ponton in the bridge must have the
same position which it would assume if riding freely at anchor. It will
be remembered that the cable is not finally made fast to the ponton
which casts its anchor, but to the one following it in the bridge; and
due allowance must be made for this in selecting the place for casting
anchor.
The number of anchors required will depend somewhat on the strength of
the current. It is generally sufficient to cast an anchor up-stream for
every alternate ponton, and half that number down-stream; but where the
current is very rapid it may be necessary to anchor every up-stream
boat, especially near the middle of the bridge. The number of anchors
cannot be much diminished, however moderate the current, as the
anchorage has a very marked effect in checking the horizontal
oscillation to which bridges are subject when troops are marching over
them.
_The Lashings._--With respect to the lashings, the corresponding balks
of adjacent bays lap each other by 6 feet, and are lashed together and
to the gunwales at two points about 5 feet apart. Thus a strong splice
is formed, making five continuous beams running the entire length of the
bridge. The stability of the bridge is further increased by the manner
of placing and securing the side-rails.
_By Parts._--The abutment bay is formed as in the previous method. The
parts are constructed at suitable points along the shore above the
bridge, and for each is required the material for three bays. They are
constructed as follows:
A ponton is moored bow and stern close to the shore, and five chess are
temporarily laid from the bank to its interior gunwale, for the
convenience of the pontoniers during the construction of the part.
The other two pontons are brought up in succession, and two bays are
constructed in the ordinary manner, except that six chess are omitted
from the roadway at both ends. Twenty-six chess and seven balks are
loaded on the parts thus formed, which is then pushed off and conducted
to the line of up-stream anchors, where it casts its anchor and drops
down to its place in the bridge.
The first part is connected with the abutment bay by the pontoniers on
shore, who construct one length of bridge flooring in the usual manner,
to join the abutment ponton with the first ponton of the part.
The other parts are united as they come in position, by bays formed from
the balks and chess with which they are loaded.
The down-stream anchors are cast by separate pontons provided for the
purpose; and it may sometimes be necessary to cast the up-stream anchors
in the same way, as the parts are not easily managed in a rapid current.
When the current is moderate, the parts may be constructed below as well
as above the bridge.
_By Rafts._--The abutment bay is laid in the same manner as in the last
method, and the rafts differ from the parts only in having the roadway
completed,--that is, the six chess at each end are not omitted. The
rafts are not loaded with extra balks and chess, but are provided with
two false balks, 6 feet 9 inches by 5 feet 5 inches, and with four
rack-collars and wedges.
The rafts cast their up-stream anchors, and drop down to their places in
the bridge. The outer pontons of the adjacent rafts are in contact, and
are lashed together bow and stern by their mooring-posts. False balks
are laid over the side-rails of the two rafts at their junction; and two
rack-collars embrace each false balk, and the side-rails and balks under
them. These collars are placed on each side, and 2 feet from, the
junction of the side-rails. The wedges are driven between the false
balks and the tops of the collars.
_By Conversion._--The position of the bridge having been determined, and
the width of the stream accurately measured, a suitable place at some
distance above the position of the abutment is selected for the
construction of the bridge. This place may be at a considerable distance
from that which the bridge is to occupy; it is frequently on some
tributary of the stream to be bridged, out of sight of the enemy’s
shore.
The bridge is constructed parallel to the shore; side-rails are lashed
on all except the extreme bays. The balks, chess, etc., for the
abutment bay on the enemy’s side, are embarked on the next to the last
bay of the bridge; a ponton is lashed to the last ponton in the bridge;
this contains, in addition to the articles necessary for constructing
the abutment, two strong pickets. The up-stream anchors are deposited in
the bows of the boats on the wheeling flank, 10 or 15 yards of their
cables coiled, the remainder stretched along the bridge. Two strong
spring-lines are extended and lashed, the one over the bows, the other
over the sterns of all the pontons; these lines should be considerably
longer than the bridge, and the ends coiled on the platform. The bridge
is then allowed to float down to within 15 yards of the first abutment.
The material for the first abutment and bay is brought down in a ponton.
Two strong pickets are planted to receive the spring-lines and two to
receive the shore-lines, which are coiled on the platform between the
first and second pontons.
The wheeling flank is pushed off, and men are stationed in the bow and
stern of each ponton with oars and boat-hooks to increase or retard the
progress of their ponton, as may be necessary. A detachment is stationed
at the first abutment to manœuvre the spring-lines; another to prevent
the pivot flank from touching shore; a turn of the shore-line is also
taken around the mooring-post of the ponton, and this line is eased off,
as the case may require. The anchors are cast as the pontons in which
they are carried come in their proper places, and their cables are
shifted to the pontons to which they are to be attached. The progress of
the bridge is checked when it arrives opposite the abutments, which
should be constructed during the conversion of the bridge, if the force
be strong enough.
The down-stream anchors are cast by the spare pontons, as in the bridge
by successive pontons.
_Flying Bridge._--This term is applied to any floating support anchored
to a fixed point (usually in the stream), and driven from shore to shore
by the oblique action of the current on its sides.
Although these bridges do not afford a continuous communication, yet
they possess some decided advantages, viz.:
They are readily established, even over the most rapid streams.
They require but little material for their construction.
They may be worked by very few men.
They permit the passage of troops of all arms, and of the heaviest
carriages.
The entrance to and exit from them is easy.
They do not interrupt navigation; and they are not liable to be injured
by floating bodies which, either by accident or design, are carried
down-stream by the current.
The current should not be less than one yard per second.
_To Construct the Raft._--The raft is formed of six pontons. Two
pontons are lashed stern to stern, and to these a third, breaking
joints. A second set similar to the above are placed at a distance from
the first of 26 feet from set to set. The two sets are connected by six
balks over which four courses are lashed. Then fifteen balks in a manner
suitable for receiving chess. The extreme chess are nailed down, and the
outer courses secured by side-rails. The length of the cable should be
at least one and a half times the width of the river. One, two, or three
anchors are used, depending on the strength of the current. The cable is
supported by pontons. The boat nearest the anchor is the largest; the
distance between the boats should be such that the cable shall not touch
the water between the first boat and the raft; each boat is fitted with
a staging, composed of two short balks, and a supporting block, on which
the cable rests and to which it is lashed. The cable is also connected
with the bow of the boat by a line of such length that the boat is
allowed to turn just enough to keep parallel with the raft. After the
raft is attached to the cable it is passed from shore to shore once or
twice, using a stern veering-line if necessary, until the anchors are
firmly imbedded and the cable is stretched; the two abutments are then
constructed; these do not differ from the first bay of the ordinary
bridge.
The proper angle for the axis of the boat to make with the current is
about 55°. This angle is gradually increased on nearing the shore, until
the way of the raft is diminished sufficiently to prevent it from
striking the abutment with a shock.
_Trail Bridges._--When the river is not more than 150 yards wide, a
sheer-line may be used in place of the anchor and cable; the sheer-line
must be taut enough to keep above water.
If the banks are not high enough, the sheer-line should be elevated at
each shore by passing it over a frame formed by three poles, arranged
like an artillery gin. Upon this line a pulley is fixed, so that it can
run freely from shore to shore; through the eye of the pulley-block a
line is passed, one end of which is attached to the bow of the first,
and the other to the bow of the second, boat forming the raft. The raft
is manœuvred in the same manner as the flying bridge; or one end of a
line may be made fast to the running-block on the sheer-line, while the
other passes through a snatch-block near the stern of the raft on the
up-stream side; by hauling in or letting out this line the proper
direction is given to the raft.
_Rope-ferries._--The rope-ferry is used when the velocity of the current
is not sufficient to propel the raft. It consists of a raft or flat,
provided with a standard near each end on the up-stream side. These
standards are forked on top to receive the sheer-line, which is
stretched across the stream in the same manner as for the trail bridge.
The raft is propelled across the stream by men on its deck hauling on
the sheer-line.
_Prairie Raft._--It frequently occurs in the Western country that
expeditions, unaccompanied by regular ponton-trains, are compelled to
cross streams so situated that it is impossible to obtain timber or
other material suitable for the construction of rafts or bridges. Under
these circumstances, a raft may be constructed of two canvas pontons, by
means of which loaded wagons may readily be ferried over the stream. All
the material required for such a raft is easily carried in one
ponton-wagon. The construction is as follows: The wagon to be floated is
backed into the stream until the rear wheels stand in about one foot of
water. A canvas ponton is placed on each side of the wagon, parallel to
and one foot from it. A balk is placed against the tail-board of the
wagon, and resting upon the gunwales of the pontons. A second balk is
similarly placed against the front-board of the wagon. On each side of
the wagon a strong rope is made fast to the front balk, passed under the
axle-trees round the rear balk, and thence back to the starting-point,
where it is made fast. The raft and wagon are pushed into the stream,
and, as soon as the latter is clear of the bottom, the balks are lashed
to the gunwales of the pontons. A line is attached to the wagon-pole,
and coiled in the bow of one of the pontons. This raft may be conveyed
across the stream either by rowing, or in the manner of a trail bridge.
On approaching the opposite shore, it should be turned with the
wagon-pole toward the bank. As soon as the wagon grounds, the balks are
removed and the wagon is drawn on shore by means of the rope attached to
its pole. A single hinged canvas ponton, which is readily packed in an
ordinary quartermaster wagon, will suffice for the crossing, if the
wagons are unloaded and taken apart.
_Box Pontons._--In localities where plank and boards can be conveniently
procured, pontons may be constructed very expeditiously, by placing ten
partitions of 2-inch plank, each 5 feet long, and 2¹⁄₂ inches high, in
parallel positions, on the top and sides of which boards are nailed: the
box thus formed to be covered with pitched canvas, as described in the
mode of constructing crib pontons.