This number will face the outside as well as the inside of the
epaulment, which if the earth be stiff, will not always be necessary;
at least not higher than the soles of the embrazures on the outside.
This will require five of 9 feet for each merlon less than the above.
A mortar battery will not require any long fascines for the lining
of the embrazures. The simplest method of ascertaining the number of
fascines for a mortar battery, or for any other plain breast work, is
to divide the length of work to be fascined in feet, by the length of
each fascine in feet, for the number required for one layer, which
being multiplied by the number of layers required, will of course give
the number of fascines for facing the whole surface. If a battery be
so exposed as to require a shoulder to cover it in flank, about 50
fascines of 9 feet each will be required for each shoulder.
Each fascine of 18 feet will require 7 pickets.
” ” ” 9 feet ” ” 4 ”
12 workmen of the line, and 8 of the artillery, are generally allotted
to each gun.
If to the above proportion of materials, &c. for a battery of two
guns, there be added for each additional gun, 30 fascines of 9 feet,
and 10 of 18 feet, with 12 workmen, the quantity may easily be found
for a battery of any number of pieces.
The workmen are generally thus disposed; one half the men of the line
in the ditch at 3 feet asunder, who throw the earth upon the berm;
one fourth upon the berm at 6 feet asunder, to throw the earth upon
the epaulment, and the other quarter on the epaulment, to level the
earth, and beat it down. The artillery men carry on the fascine work,
and level the interior for the platforms. This number of workmen may
complete a battery in 36 hours, allowing 216 cubic feet tn be dug and
thrown up, by each man _in the ditch_ in 24 hours.
_Tools for the Construction of a Battery._
_Intrenching_—1½ times the number of workmen required; half to be pick
axes, and half shovels or spades, according to the soil.
_Mallets_—3 per gun.
_Earth Rammers_—3 per gun.
_Crosscut Saws_—1 to every two guns.
_Handbills or Hatchets_—2 per gun.
This estimate of tools and workmen, does not include what may be
required for making up the fascines, or preparing the other materials,
but supposes them ready prepared. For these articles, see the words
_Fascine_, _Gabion_, _Platform_, &c. and for the construction of field
magazines for batteries, see the word _Magazine_.
NOTE. The following estimate of the quantity of earth which may be
removed by a certain number of workmen in a given time, may serve to
give some idea of the time required to raise any kind of works. 500
common wheel barrows will contain 2 cubic toises of earth, and may be
wheeled by one man, in summer, to the distance of 20 yards up a ramp,
and 30 on a horizontal plain, in one day. In doing which he will pass
over, going and returning, about 4 leagues in the first case, and 6 in
the last. Most men, however, will not wheel more than 1¾ toise per day.
Four men will remove the same quantity to four times the distance.
In a soil easy to be dug, one man can fill the 500 barrows in a day;
but if the ground be hard, the number of fillers must be augmented, so
as to keep pace with the wheel barrow man.
_BEDS for Mortars._
+------------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
|Nature. | Weight. | Tonnage. | Len. | Bre. | Ht. |
+------------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
| |cᵂᵗ. qʳˢ. lb.| tⁿˢ. cᵂᵗ. qʳ |ft. in.|ft. in.|ft. in.|
| | | | | | |
| Sea | 38 3 13 | 3 3 2 | | | |
+--+---------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
|13|Land Wood| 21 2 7 | 1 6 0 | 7 0 | 2 6 | 2 3 |
| | ” Iron| 50 0 0 | 2 10 0 | 6 3 | 3 1 | 1 6 |
+--+---------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
| Sea | 32 2 14 | 2 2 2 | | | |
+--+---------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
|10|Land Wood| 10 0 20 | 0 4 2 | 6 6 | 1 8 | 1 10 |
| | ” Iron| 23 0 0 | 1 3 0 | 4 8 | 2 4 | 1 1½ |
+--+---------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
|8 |Land Wood| 6 0 20 | 0 7 2 | 4 2 | 1 7 | 1 7½ |
| | ” Iron| 12 0 0 | 0 12 0 | 4 0 | 1 11 | 0 11 |
+--+---------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
| 5½ Wood | 1 0 22 | 0 2 0 | 2 9 | 1 4 | 0 10 |
| 4⅖ Wood | 0 3 11 | 0 1 2 | 2 4½| 1 2 | 0 9 |
+------------+-------------+--------------+-------+-------+-------+
_Stool Beds for Guns._
+------------+-------------+--------------+-------+--------+------+
| | | | | Inch. | In. |
|42 Pounders | 0 1 20 | 0 1 0 | 2 10 |11 to 8¾| 3¾ |
|32 ” | 0 1 14 | 0 1 0 | 2 10 |10 5½| 3¼ |
|24 ” | 0 1 14 | 0 1 0 | 2 9 |10¼ 6½| 4 |
|18 ” | 0 1 12 | 0 1 0 | 2 8 | 9½ 6½| 3¾ |
|12 ” | 0 1 10 | 0 0 2⅔ | 2 8 |10 6½| 4 |
| 9 ” | 0 1 4 | 0 0 2 | 2 7 | 9½ 5¾| 3½ |
| 6 ” | 0 1 0 | 0 0 1¾ | 2 6 | 9 4¾| 3½ |
| 4 ” | 0 1 0 | 0 0 1 | 2 6 | 8¼ 5¼| 3 |
+------------+-------+-----+--------------+-------+--------+------+
_BOXES for Ammunition._—The dimensions of the common ammunition boxes
vary according to the ammunition they are made to contain, in order
that it may pack tight: this variation, however, is confined to a few
inches, and does not exceed the following numbers.
_Table of general Dimensions of Ammunition Boxes._
+-------+---------------------------------------+--------+
| | Exterior. | Weight |
| +------------+------------+-------------+ when |
| | Length. | Breadth. | Depth. | empty. |
+-------+------------+------------+-------------+--------+
| | feet inch. | feet inch. | feet inch | lbs. |
| From | 2 2 | 0 10 | 0 8½ | 20 |
| To | 2 9 | 1 6 | 1 6 | 30 |
+-------+------------+------------+-------------+--------+
Weight when filled, and Number contained in each.
+---------------------------+-----------------+---------------+
| | Weight of | No. of Rounds |
| | Boxes when | contained in |
| Nature of Ammunition. | filled with | each Box. |
| | Ammunition. | |
+---------------------------+-----------------+---------------+
| | cᵂᵗ. qʳˢ. lb. | No. |
+---+--------+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | |12 Prs.|Round | 1 1 10 | 8 |
| | | |Case. | 0 3 15 | 6 |
| | Shot +-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | fixed | 6 Prs.|Round | 1 2 7 | 12 |
| | with | |Case | 1 0 15 | 12 |
| | powder.+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | | |Round | 0 2 25 | 16 |
| | | 3 Prs.|Case | 0 2 23 | 14 |
| +--------+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| B | |24 Prs.|Round | 1 1 26 | 6 |
| o | | |Case | 2 0 0 | 6 |
| x | +-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| e | |12 Prs.|Round | 1 2 20 | 12 |
| s | Shot | |Case | 1 2 22 | 8 |
| | fixed +-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | to wood| |Round | 1 2 20 | 24 |
| | bottoms| 6 Prs.|Case | 1 1 12 | 18 |
| f | without+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| o | powder.| |Round | 1 1 0 | 30 |
| r | | 3 Prs.|Case | 1 1 0 | 30 |
| | +-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | |How’r. | 8 | 1 2 2 | 3 |
| | | Case. | 5½ | 1 2 12 | 10 |
| | | | 4⅖ | 1 2 22 | 20 |
| +--------+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
| | | | f | | |
| | |How’r |8 i | 1 2 2 | 3 |
| | Shells.|Shells.|5½ x | 1 2 12 | 10 |
| | | |4⅖ e | 1 2 22 | 20 |
| | | | d | | |
+---+--------+-------+------+-----------------+---------------+
The common ammunition waggon will hold from 9 to 13 of these boxes in
one tier.
The tonnage of ammunition in boxes is equal to its weight: about 12
boxes make one ton.
_BOMB Ketch._ The bomb ketches upon the old establishment carry one 13
inch and one 10 inch mortar; with eight 6 pounders, beside swivels,
for their own immediate defence. The modern bomb vessels carry two 10
inch mortars, four 68 pounders, and six 18 pounders carronades; and the
mortars may be fired at as low an angle as 20 degrees; though these
mortars are not intended to be used at sea, but on very particular
occasions; their principal intention, at these low angles, being to
cover the landing of troops, and protect our coast and harbours. A bomb
ketch is generally from sixty to seventy feet long from stem to stern,
and draws eight or nine feet water. The tender is generally a brig, on
board of which the party of artillery remain, till their services are
required on board the bomb vessel.
_Instructions for their Management and Security in Action._
1. A Dutch pump, filled with water, must be placed in each round top,
one upon the forecastle, one on the main deck, and one on the quarter
deck; and furnished with leather buckets, for a fresh supply of water.
2. The booms must be wetted by the pumps before the tarpaulins and
mortar hatches are taken off; and a wooden skreen, 5 feet square, is to
be hung under the booms, over each mortar, to receive the fire from the
vents.
3. The embrazures being fixed and properly secured, the port must
be let down low enough to be covered by the sole of the embrazure.
Previous to its being let down, a spar must be lashed across it, to
which the tackles for raising it again must be fixed: this spar serves
to project the tackles clear of the explosion.
4. The mortars must not be fired through the embrazures at a lower
angle than 20 degrees, nor with a greater charge than 5 lbs. of powder.
5. Previous to firing, the doors of the bulkhead, under the quarter
deck, must be shut, to prevent the cabin being injured by the explosion.
6. The bed must be wedged in the circular curb, as soon as the mortar
is pointed, to prevent reaction; the first wedge being driven tight
before the rear ones are fixed, in order to give the full bearing on
the table, as well as the rear of the bed. The holes for dog bolts must
be corked up, to prevent the sparks falling into them.
7. When any shells are to be used on board the bomb, they must be
fixed on board the tender, and brought from thence, in boxes in her
long boat; and kept along side the bomb ship till wanted, carefully
covered up.
8. In the old constructed bomb vessels it is necessary to hoist out the
booms; and raft them along side previous to firing; but in these new
ones, with embrazures, only the boats need be hoisted out; after which
the mortars may be prepared for action in 10 minutes.
_Proportion of Ordnance and Ammunition for a Bomb Ship, carrying two 10
Inch Mortars, to fire at low Angles, and at 45 Degrees, Four 68 Prs.
and Six 8 Prs. Carronades._
+----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
| _NATURE._ | _In the_ |_Tender._|_Total._|
| |_Bomb Ship._| | |
+----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
| Mortars, sea service with Beds, | | | |
| &c. 10 inch | 2 | — | 2 |
|----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
| Quoins for do.—2 for 45°—2 | | | |
| for 20° elevation, } | 4 | — | 4 |
|----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
| Capsquares, with keys, &c. spare | 2 | — | 2 |
| Handspikes, large | 4 | — | 4 |
| Spunges, with rammer heads | 4 | — | 4 |
| Handscrews, small | 2 | — | 2 |
| Handcrow levers—6 feet | 4 | — | 4 |
| Handspikes, common | 6 | — | 6 |
| Linstocks, with cocks | 4 | — | 4 |
| Powder horns, new pattern | 4 | — | 4 |
| Match cwts. | 1 | — | 1 |
| Marline skeins | — | 12 | 12 |
| Budge barrels, copper hooped | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Lanthorns, Muscovy | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| ” dark | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Carronades, 68 Prs. | 4 | — | 4 |
| ” 18 Prs. | 6 | — | 6 |
| having sliding carriages, | | | |
| elevating screws, | | | |
| spunges, rammers | | | |
| &c. complete. | | | |
| Gun tackles, complete for | | | |
| traversing mortars, 12 Prs. | 4 | — | 4 |
| Wads, 68 Prs. | 270 | 270 | 540 |
| ” , 18 Prs. | 480 | 180 | 660 |
| Musquets { Bright | 32 | — | 32 |
| { Black | 8 | — | 8 |
| Pistols, pairs | 15 | — | 15 |
| Swords | 40 | — | 40 |
| Pole axes | 6 | — | 6 |
| Pikes | 40 | — | 40 |
| Musquetoons | 2 | — | 2 |
| Flints, musquet | 900 | — | 900 |
| ” pistol | 150 | — | 150 |
| Ball Cartridges, musquet | 2000 | — | 2000 |
| ” ” pistol | 2000 | — | 2000 |
| Shot, musquet, cwts. qrs. lbs. | 1.0.0 | — |1.0.0 |
| ” pistol, ” ” ” | 0.1.1 | — |0.1.1 |
| Round Carcasses, fixed, 10 inch | 48 | 152 | 200 |
| Empty Shells, 10 inch | 48 | 352 | 400 |
| Iron Shot, 1 lb. | 1000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Fixed Shells, 10 inch | 48 | — | 48 |
| Case Shot, 68 Prs. Carronades | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Empty Shells,8 in. for Carronades| 52 | 100 | 152 |
| Shot, round, 68 Prs. | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Carcasses, do. 68 Prs. | 96 | 104 | 200 |
+----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
|Shot, round, 18 Prs. | 300 | — | 300 |
|Case Shot, 18 Prs. | 30 | 30 | 60 |
|Carcasses, do. fixed, 18 Prs. | 150 | 150 | 300 |
|Hand Shells, fixed, sea service | — | 150 | 150 |
|Fuzes for do. spare | — | 15 | 15 |
|Paper Covers for cart’ges, 10 in. | 106 | 609 | 715 |
| ” ” ” ” , 68 Pr. | 293 | 301 | 594 |
| ” ” ” ” , 18 Pr. | 258 | 198 | 726 |
| | | | |
|Flannel Cartridges,} | | | |
| empty, for 10 in.} to hold 5lbs.| 106 | — | 106 |
| mortars } do. 10lbs.| — | 609 | 609 |
| | | | |
|Flannel Cartridges, } | | | |
| empty, for 68 Prs.} to hold 5lbs| 293 | 151 | 594 |
| carronades } do. 4lbs| — | 150 | |
| | | | |
|Flannel Cartridges, empty, for } | | | |
| 18 Prs. to hold 1½ lbs. } | 528 | 148 | 726 |
| | | | |
|Paper Cartridges, for bursting, } | | | |
| 10 inches, empty } | — | 352 | 352 |
| | | | |
|Paper Cartridges, for bursting, } | | | |
| 8 inches, empty } | — | 100 | 100 |
|Do. filled with 2lb. 10 oz. | | | |
| for 10 in. | 48 | — | 48 |
|Do. filled with 1 ” 14 ” | 52 | — | 52 |
| for 8 in. | | | |
|Fuzes, drove, 10 inch | 57 | 388 | 445 |
| ” ” 8 ” | 57 | 110 | 167 |
|----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
| Valencience composition | | | |
| 200 for 10 in. shells, | | | |
| at 14 oz. each, lbs. | — | 175 | 175 |
| 768 for 10 in. shells, | | | |
| at 9 oz. each, lbs. | — | 42 | 42 |
|----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
|Tube Boxes, tin | 12 | — | 12 |
|Fuze composition, for priming } | | | |
| carcasses, lbs. } | — | 10 | 10 |
| | | | |
|Powder bags | — | 6 | 6 |
|Portfires | — | 200 | 200 |
|Quick Match, cotton, lbs. | — | 20 | 20 |
|Spirits of Wine, gals. | — | 4 | 4 |
|Kitt lbs. | — | 80 | 80 |
|Bottoms of wood, 10 inch. | 10 | 40 | 50 |
|Signal Rockets, 1 lb. doz.| — | 2 | 2 |
|Blue Lights, ” | — | 3 | 3 |
|Gunpowder for the mortars and } | | | |
| carronades, half barrels } | 72 | 150 | 222 |
|Powder for priming, do. | — | 1 | 1 |
|Powder for bursting, do. | — | 28 | 28 |
| with all the small articles | | | |
| which usually attend mortars | | | |
| on every service, and the | | | |
| articles necessary for the | | | |
| service of carronades at sea. | | | |
|Laboratory Chests, 4 feet | — | 2 | 2 |
| ” ” , 3 feet | — | 2 | 2 |
|Handpumps for wetting the | | | |
| rigging, &c. | 6 | — | 6 |
|Leather Buckets | 24 | — | 24 |
+----------------------------------+------------+---------+--------+
_BREACH._—The batteries to make a breach, should commence by marking
out as near as possible, the extent of the breach intended to be
made; first, by a horizontal line within a fathom of the bottom of
the revetement in a dry ditch, and close to the water’s edge in a wet
one; and then by lines perpendicular to this line, at short distances
from each other, as high as the cordon; then, by continuing to deepen
all these cuts, the wall will give way in a body. The guns to produce
the greatest effect should be fired as near as possible in _salvos_ or
vollies. The breach should be ⅓ the length of the face, from the center
towards the flanked angle. When the wall has given way, the firing must
be continued to make the slope of the breach practicable.
Four 24 Pounders from the lodgement in the covert way will effect a
breach in 4 or 5 days, which may be made practicable in 3 days more.
Another way of making a breach is by piercing the wall sufficiently to
admit two or three miners, who cross the ditch, and make their entry
during the night into the wall, where they establish two or three small
mines, sufficient to make a breach.—See _Artillery at a Siege_; see
also _Battery_.
_BRIDGES.—Manner of laying a Pontoon Bridge across a River._
The bank on each side, where the ends of the bridge are to be, must
be made solid and firm, by means of fascines, or otherwise. One end
of the cable must be carried across the river; and being fixed to a
picket, or any thing firm, must be drawn tight by means of a capstan,
across where the heads of the boats are to be ranged. The boats are
then launched, having on board each two men, and the necessary ropes,
&c. and are floated _down_ the stream, under the cable, to which they
are lashed endwise, by the rings and small ropes, at equal distances,
and about their own breadth asunder; more or less, according to the
strength required. If the river be very rapid, a second cable must be
stretched across it, parallel to the first, and at the distance of the
length of the boats; and to which the other ends of the boats must be
lashed. The spring lines are then lashed diagonally from one boat to
the other, to brace them tight; and the anchors, if necessary, carried
out, up the stream, and fixed to the cable or sheer-line across the
river. One of the chesses is then laid on the edge of the bank, at each
end of the bridge, bottom up; these serve to lay the ends of the baulks
upon, and as a direction for placing them at the proper distances, to
fit the chesses that cover the bridge. The baulks should then be laid
across the boats, and keyed together: their numbers proportioned to
the strength required in the bridge. If the gangboards are laid across
the heads and sterns of the boats from one side of the river to the
other, they will give the men a footing for doing the rest of the work.
Across the baulks are laid the chesses, one after another, the edges to
meet; and the baulks running between the cross pieces on the under side
of the chesses. The gangboards are then laid across the ends of the
chesses on each edge of the bridge.
_Precautions for passing a Bridge of Boats._
Whatever size the bridge may be, infantry should never be allowed to
pass at the same time with carriages or cavalry. The carriages should
always move at a certain distance behind each other, that the bridge
may not be shook, by being overloaded. The horses should not be allowed
to trot over the bridge; and the cavalry should dismount and lead their
horses over. Large flocks of cattle must not be allowed to cross at
once.
For the dimensions, weight, and equipage of a pontoon, see the word
_Pontoon_.
When bridges are made to facilitate the communication between different
parts of the approaches at a siege, they should, if possible, be placed
above the town; or the besieged will take advantage of the current
to float down large trees, or other bodies, in order to destroy the
bridge. Two of such bridges should always be placed close to each
other, in order to prevent the confusion of crossing and recrossing on
the same bridge; the one being intended to pass over one way, and the
other to return. Pontoon bridges will generally not support a greater
weight than 4 or 5,000 pounds. Pontoons, when united as a bridge, will
no doubt bear more in proportion, than when acted upon separately: but
the weight which a pontoon will bear may be easily ascertained, by
loading it with water till it sinks to any required depth, and then by
calculating the number of cubic feet of water it contains, ascertain
the number of pounds required to sink it to that particular depth.
_CAMP._—With some trifling variations, camps are formed after the same
manner in all countries. This principle seems general, that there
should not be more ground occupied by the camp of a body of men, in
front, than the extent of their line when drawn out in order of battle.
Intervals are however generally left between battalions of infantry
of about one eighth their front, and between squadrons of cavalry of
thirty or forty paces. An army is sometimes encamped in two lines, and
sometimes in three; the distance between the lines varies according to
the face of the country, from 200 to 600 yards, or more.
In the distribution of the front of a camp, two feet are generally
allowed for every file of infantry, and three feet for each file of
cavalry. When the ground will admit of it, the infantry are usually
arranged in rows perpendicular to the front; each row containing the
tents of one company; and the cavalry in the same position, each
perpendicular row containing the horses of a troop.
The grenadiers and light infantry are usually placed in single rows on
the flanks, and the battalion companies in double rows.
A single row, or one company, occupies in front, nine feet; and a
double row, or two companies, twenty one feet, if formed of the old
pattern rectangular tents, which hold only five men each. But if the
new bell tents are used, 15 feet must be allowed for a single row, and
30 feet for a double row in front.
In the cavalry, a row or troop occupies in front as follow:
Old Tents. New Tents.
Tent 3 yards, 5 yards.
From the front pole }
of the tent to } 3 3
picket rope }
For the horse 6 6
For the dung 2 2
—— ——
14 yards. 16 yards.
The breadth of a row in front, whether of infantry or cavalry, being
multiplied by the number of rows, and the product subtracted from the
whole extent of front for a battalion of infantry, or a squadron of
cavalry, will leave the space for the streets, which are generally
divided as follows:
For the infantry, 59½ feet each.
For the cavalry, 30 feet each between the tents.
” ” ” 46 feet ” ” horses.
_The following is the Distribution of the Depth of a Camp of Infantry
or Cavalry, when the Ground permits._
_Distribution of the Depth of a Camp._ |_Infantry._|_Cavalry._
--------------------------------------------+-----------+----------
| Yards | Yards
| |
From the quarter-guard parade to the | |
line of parade of battalion | 62 |
| |
From this first line of parade to the | |
front of the {Serjeant’s tents | 16 |
{quarter master’s | — | 24
_N. B. These tents open to the front._ | |
| |
To the first picket of horses | — | 5
| |
Infantry: for every tent in depth | |
” old pattern, 9 feet | |
” new pattern, 15 feet | |
| |
Cavalry: for every horse, 3 feet | |
| |
_The soldiers tents for the infantry open_| |
_to the streets. The cavalry tents front_ | |
_to the horses heads._ | |
| |
Suppose infantry 12 tents deep } o. pat. | 36 | 60
” cavalry, 60 horses } | |
| |
From the last tent of infantry, or the | |
last horse of the cavalry, to the front | |
of the subalterns’ tents | 15 | 12
| |
_These tents open to the rear._ | |
| |
To the front of the line of captains | 15 | 15
_These open to the front. The captains, and_| |
_subalterns in the rear of their troops or_ | |
_companies._ | |
| |
To the front of the field officers | 10 | 15
_Open to the front, opposite the outside_ | |
_street of the battalion._ | |
| |
To the colonel’s | 10 | 10
_Opens to the front, opposite the main_ | |
_street of the battalion._ | |
--------------------------------------------+-----------+---------
To the staff officers | 10 | 14
_Open up the streets next the main street_| |
To the first row of batmen’s tents | 10 |
_The batmen’s tents front their horses._ | |
To the first row of pickets for bat | | 15
horses | 2 |
To the second row of ditto | 10 |
To the second row of batmen | 2 |
To the front of the grand sutler’s tent | 10 |
_The grand sutler is in the rear of_ | |
_the colonel._ | |
--------------------------------------------+-----------+---------
To the center of the kitchens | 15 | 20
_The kitchens are 16 feet in diameter._ | |
| |
To the front of the petty sutlers | 15 | 15
_Directly in the rear of the kitchens: there_| |
_are allowed 6 yards in front by 8 deep._ | |
| |
To the rear guard | 15 | 15
_Opens to the rear._ | |
+-----------+---------
Total depth required Yards | 253 | 220
If the ground on which the camp is to be formed will not, from a swamp
in the rear, or any other circumstance, admit of each troop or company
being formed in one row perpendicular to the front; the distribution of
the front of a battalion or squadron must be more contracted than the
above, and laid out as follows: Find how many perpendicular rows will
be required, by dividing the number of men in the battalion or squadron
by the number the ground will admit of in one row; then the number
of rows being multiplied by the breadth of one in front, will give
that part of the front to be occupied by the rows; and the difference
between it and the whole front allowed for the battalion or squadron,
will be left for the streets; which, if the streets are to be equal,
must be divided by their number, to find the breadth of each; or is
otherwise easily divided into streets of unequal breadths. When two
guns are attached to a battalion, they are posted on the right in the
following order: from the right of battalion to the center of the first
gun, four yards—from this to the second gun, 6 yards.—The muzzles of
the guns in a line with the serjeants’ tents.
The subaltern of artillery, if any, in a line with the subalterns of
infantry.—The rear of the gunner’s tents in a line with the rear of the
battalion tents.
For the proper positions for camps, see the word _Reconnoitering_; and
for the encampment of a park of artillery, see the word _Park_.
_CARCASSES.—Composition._
Saltpetre 50 parts.
Sulphur 25
Antimony 5
Rosin 8
Pitch 5
Valencienne’s composition, so called, from its having been used by the
Austrians at the siege of that place, has the effect of making shells
answer the purpose of carcasses after they burst:
Saltpetre 50 parts.
Sulphur 28
Antimony 18
Rosin, or Swedish pitch 6
This composition is cast in copper cylindric moulds of 6 inches long,
and of different diameters according to the shell in which it is to be
used. It must be put in along with the bursting powder in pieces as
large as the shell will admit, without preventing the fuze being driven
down.
_CARCASSES._—Their Dimensions and Weight, 1796.
+--------------+----------------------------------------+---------+
| | Weight. | _Time_ |
| +------------+------------+--------------+ _each_ |
| Nature. | Empty. | Of | Complete. | _will_ |
| | |Composition.| | _burn._ |
+--------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------+
|_Round_, for |lbs. oz. dr.|lbs. oz. dr.|lbs. oz. dr.| Min. |
|Mortars 13 |194 10 11 | 18 14 — |213 8 16 | 11 |
|and 10 | 89 13 11 | 7 8 11 | 97 6 11 | 8½ |
|How’rs. 8 | 44 9 5 | 4 4 11 | 48 14 — | 5½ |
+--------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------+
| 42 | 27 3 — | 2 7 11 | 29 10 11 | 5 |
| For 32 | 20 13 5 | 1 14 5 | 22 11 11 | 4½ |
| Guns 24 | 14 12 — | 1 9 11 | 16 5 11 | 4 |
| 18 | 11 13 11 | 1 1 5 | 12 15 — | 4 |
+--------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------+
| 68 | — — — | — — — | | |
| For 42 | 26 — — | 2 7 — | 28 7 — | 4½ |
|Carronades 32 | 21 10 — | 1 13 — | 23 7 — | 4 |
| 24 | 14 5 — | 2 5 — | 16 10 — | 3½ |
| 18 | 10 4 — | 1 2 — | 11 6 — | 3 |
+--------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------+
|_Oblong_, for | | | | |
|Mortars 10 | 36 7 5 | 35 10 — | 72 1 5 | 12 |
| and 8 | 16 5 5 | 18 2 — | 34 7 5 | 10 |
|How’rs. 5½ | 1 12 2 | 6 15 — | 8 11 3 | 6 |
| 4⅖ | 1 0 6 | 3 11 7 | 4 11 13 | 4 |
+--------------+------------+------------+--------------+---------+
NOTE. It being found at the siege of Quebec, that the quantity of
powder requisite for throwing the carcasses into the town, always
destroyed them, the method of filling the interval between the powder
and carcass with turf was adopted; and found to preserve the carcass,
and to produce every desired effect.
_CARRONADES._—Their Weight and Dimensions.
+----------+---------+----------------+------------+---------------+
| |Diameter | Length in | Weight. | _Proportion |
| Nature. |of Bores.+---------+------+------------+betw’n the Shot|
| | |Ft. In. |Calib.|cwt. qr. lb.|and Carronade._|
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
|68 Prs. | 8.05 | 5 2 | 7.702| 36 — — | 59 to 1 |
| ” | | 4 0 | 5.962| 29 — — | |
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
|42 ” | 6.84 | 4 3½ | 7.518| 22 1 — | 58 to 1 |
|32 ” | 6.35 | 4 0½ | 7.679| 17 — 14 | 62 to 1 |
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
|24 ” | 5.68 | 3 7½ | 7.656| 13 — — | 56 to 1 |
| | | 3 0 | 6.336| 11 2 25 | |
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
|18 ” | 5.16 | 3 3 | 7.587| 9 — — | 56 to 1 |
| | | 2 4 | 5.447| 8 1 25 | |
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
|12 ” | 4.52 | 2 2 | 5.778| 5 3 10 | 56 to 1 |
+----------+---------+---------+------+------------+---------------+
_N. B._ Carronades have not so much windage as guns. See _Windage_.
Ranges with Carronades, 1798. The charge is ¹/₁₂ the weight of the shot
and with one shot and one wad. The line of fire from 6 to 9 feet above
the level of the water.
+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Nature. | 68 | 42 | 32 | 24 | 18 | 12 |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Charge. |5lb 8oz |3lb 8oz |2lb 10oz| 2lb |1lb 8oz |1lb 10oz|
+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| | Yards | | | | | |
|P. Blank| 450 | 400 | 330 | 300 | 270 | 230 |
|1 Degree| 650 | 600 | 560 | 500 | 470 | 400 |
|2 ” | 890 | 860 | 830 | 780 | 730 | 690 |
|3 ” | 1000 | 980 | 900 | 870 | 800 | 740 |
|4 ” | 1100 | 1020 | 970 | 920 | 870 | 810 |
|5 ” | 1180 | 1170 | 1087 | 1050 | 1000 | 870 |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
NOTE.—The highest charge for carronades is ⅛ the weight of the shot;
the lowest ¹/₁₆.
Ranges with 8 inch shells, from 68 Pr. carronades.
+---------+-------+-------+----------+------+-------+
| Shells | | | |First |Extreme|
| Weight |Charge.|Flight.|Elevation.|graze.|range. |
+---------+-------+-------+----------+------+-------+
| | 3 lbs.| 1½ | P. B. | 302 | 1365 |
|lbs. oz. | 3 ” | — | 5 Deg. | 1140 | |
| 43 11 | 4 ” | 1½ | 1 ” | 358 | 1843 |
| | ” ” | 5 | 5 ” | 1137 | 1250 |
| | ” ” | ” | 11½ ” | 1767 | |
+---------+-------+-------+----------+------+-------+
_CARRIAGE._—Weight of Field Carriages at present in use.
_Horse Artillery Carriages._ cwts. qrs. lbs.|cwts. qrs. lbs.
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
12 Prs. gun and carriage complete for | |
service, with two men, and their | | 45 0 14
their appointments on the limber, | |
and 16 rounds of ammunition. | |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Ammunition waggon for do. | |
complete, with two men on the limber | | 33 3 0
and 1 spare wheel, 2 spare shafts, | |
78 rounds of ammunition | |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+=-----------
6 Prs. equipped as above, with 42 rounds | | 34 1 21
Ammunition waggon as above, 108 rounds | | 39 0 21
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
5½ Inch howitzer, equipped as above, | |
with 20 rounds | | 35 3 0
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Ammunition waggon for do. | |
as above, with 52 rounds | | 39 2 0
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Forge waggon, complete for travelling | | 19 2 14
Large tilted baggage waggon, empty | | 18 3 0
Equipage to be carried | | 12 0 0
12 Prs. Med. gun, carriage, without boxes| 16 1 21 |
Limber to do. | 7 2 14 | 42 — 7
Gun | 18 — — |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
12 Pr. light gun | 12 — — |
Carriage complete | 12 3 7 | 36 2 21
Limber, with empty boxes | 12 3 14 |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
6 Prs. Desaguliers | 12 — — |
Carriage complete | 11 — 14 | 34 1 13
Limber, to do. empty boxes | 11 — 27 |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
6 Prs. light battalion gun | 6 — — |
Carriage without boxes, iron axletrees | 9 2 — | 24 1 21
Limber, with empty boxes | 8 3 21 |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
5½ Inch howitzer, light | 4 3 7 |
Carriage, without boxes | 10 — 7 | 24 — 14
Limber, with empty boxes | 9 1 — |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
24 Prs. platform travelling carriage | 22 3 — |
Standing carriage for do. iron trucks, | |
and tackles of the carriage | 13 3 16 | 84 2 16
Iron gun | 48 — — |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Ball cartridge waggon, Duke of Richmond’s| |
pattern, with spare pole and swingle | 16 1 17 |
trees | | 36 1 17
Charge of musquet ammunition | 20 — — |
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Common pattern ammunition waggon, altered| 16 2 — |
Charge of ammunition | 20 — — | 36 2 —
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
New infantry ammunition cart | 9 1 14 |
Charge of ammunition | 12 — — | 21 1 14
-----------------------------------------+-------------+------------
Common sling cart, complete | 17 1 14 |
Common truck carriage | 12 2 21 |
Common hand cart | 4 1 — |
Forge waggon, complete | 13 2 14 |
Dimensions of certain parts of carriages, the knowledge of which
may prevent many mistakes in arranging the different pieces for
disembarkation, or in other similar situations.
_Axletrees._—Most of the field carriages are now made with _iron_
axletrees; the dimensions of which are as follows:
+--------------------+----------------+--------------------------+
| | Diameter of | |
| Iron Axletrees. | the arm. | Length of arm. |
| +---------+------+---------+------+---------+
| | | | Box, or | | Total |
| | At the |At the| Nave |Washer|length to|
| |Shoulder.|Point.| part. | part.|linchpin.|
+--------------------+---------+------+---------+------+---------+
| | Inch. | Inch.| Inch | Inch | Inch. |
|6 Pr. Light | | | | | |
|3 Pr. Heavy | | | | | |
|5½ Inch Howitzer | | | | | |
|Ammuni. Waggon | | | | | |
|Ball cartridge do. | | | | | |
| whether horse | 2¾ | 1¾ | 13 | ⅝ | 13⅝ |
| artillery or the | | | | | |
| park, whether | | | | | |
| limber or carriage| | | | | |
+--------------------+---------+------+---------+------+---------+
|Light 12 Pounder | | | | | |
| and limber | 3¼ | 2¼ | 16 | ¾ | 16¾ |
+--------------------+---------+------+---------+------+---------+
|Medium 12 Pr. | 3½ | 2½ | 16 | ¾ | 16¾ |
|Limber to do. | 2¾ | 2 | 13 | ⅝ | 13⅝ |
+--------------------+----------------+---------+------+---------+
+----------------+-----------------------++------------------------+
| | Carriage. || Limber. |
| Wood +-----------------------++------------------------+
| Axletrees. | Di. of arm. |Length|| Di. of arm. |Length|
| +---------+------+ of |+---------+-------+ of |
| | At | At | Nave.|| At | At | Nave.|
| |Shoulder.|Point.| ||Shoulder.| Point.| |
+----------------+---------+------+------++---------+-------+------+
| | Inch. | Inch.| Inch || Inch | Inch. | Inch.|
|24 Prs. Heavy | 7 | 4.9 | 18 || 6 | 3.3 | 16 |
|12 Prs. Med. | 6 | 4 | 16 || 6 | 4 | 12 |
|6 Prs. Des’rs. | 5½ | 3½ | 13½ || 5½ | 3½ | 13½ |
|6 Prs. Light | 5 | 3 | 13 || 5 | 3 | 13 |
|3 Prs. Des’rs. | 2½ | 1¼ | || 2½ | 1¼ | |
|3 Prs. Light | | | || | | |
|Howitzer, 8 In. | 6½ | | 17 || 5½ | | 15 |
| ” , 5½ In.| 5½ | | 13 || 4¼ | | 11½ |
| ” , 4⅖ In.| 4½ | | 12 || 4 | | 10 |
+----------------+---------+------+------++---------+-------+------+
| | Fore || Hind |
+----------------+---------+------+------++---------+-------+------+
|Ammunition | | | || | | |
| waggon, with | 5 | 2.9 | 14 || 5 | 2.9 | 13 |
| folding sides | | | || | | |
+----------------+---------+------+------++---------+-------+------+
|Close bodied | | | || | | |
| ammunition | 5 | 3.3 | 14 || 5 | 2.9 | 14 |
| waggon | | | || | | |
+----------------+---------+------+------++---------+-------+------+
_Diameter of the Wheels of the Field Carriages at present in Use_:
Diameter.
All the horse artillery carriages, limbers,
and waggons; the heavy 6 Prs. and long
3 Prs. and their limbers; the carriage
of a 6 Pr. battalion gun, and a light 5 feet
5½ inch howitzer; the hind wheels of a
common ammunition waggon
Limber to light 6 Pr. and 5½ howitzer, 4 ft. 8 in.
Med. 12 Pr.—limber, 4 ft. 6 in.—carriage, 4 ft. 8 in.
Sling cart 5 ft. 8 in.
Fore wheels of an ammunition waggon, 4 feet.
Pontoon carriage Fore 3 feet.
Hind 5 ft. 6 in.
8 Inch Howitzer Limber 4 feet.
Carriage 5 feet.
Ball Ammunition Cart 5 feet.
24 Prs. Platform Carriage Fore 4 feet.
Hind 4 ft. 2 in.
_Dimensions and Weight of Standing Gun Carriages._
+--------------------+------+------+------+-----+--------+------+
| Nature. | 32 | 24 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 6 |
+--------------------+------+------+------+-----+--------+------+
| |Ft.in.|Ft.in.|Ft.in.|Ft.in|Ft.in. |Ft.in.|
|Axletrees,} | | | | | | |
| length } | 4 9 | 4 7 | 4 3 | 3 9| 3 6½ | 3 4 |
| | | | | | | |
|Side pieces,} | | | | | | |
| length } | 6 4 | 6 0 | 5 9 | 5 6| 5 3 | 5 0 |
| | | | | | | |
|Whole heighth } | | | | | | |
| to trunnion beds} | 2 9 | 2 7 | 2 6 | 2 3| 2 1 | 2 0 |
| | | | | | | |
|Weight of carriage,}|ct.qr.|ct.qr.|ct.qr.|ct.qr|ct.qr. |ct.qr.|
| bed & coins }| 9 0 | 8 0 | 7 0 | 6 0| 3 3 | 2 3 |
+--------------------+------+------+------+-----+--------+------+
_Carriages_ on a march. See _Marching_.
For wood of which carriages are made, see the word _Wood_.
_CARTRIDGES_ for guns.
+-----------------+--------------+----------+---------------+
| | Weight of | | Tonnage. |
| Of paper | one | Length. | Nᵒ. packed in |
| | Dozen. | | ¾ Ton Vat. |
+-----------------+--------------+----------+---------------+
| Pounders. | lbs. oz. dr. | Ft. In. | Number. |
| 42 ” | 3 0 0 | 2 4 | 1000 |
| 32 ” | 3 0 0 | 2 4 | 1100 |
| 24 ” | 3 0 0 | 2 4 | 1400 |
| 18 ” | 2 14 0 | 2 4 | 1500 |
| 12 ” | 2 4 0 | 2 4 | 1600 |
| 9 ” | 2 4 0 | 2 4 | 1800 |
| 6 ” | 1 5 0 | 2 0 | 2000 |
| 4 ” | 1 1 0 | 1 7 | 2200 |
| 3 ” | 1 1 0 | 1 7 | 2200 |
| Of Flannel. | | | |
| 42 and 32 | 2 2 0 | 2 3 | The tonnage |
| { Heavy | 1 12 0 | 1 10 | of flannel |
| 24 { Medium | 1 6 0 | 1 5 | cartridges is |
| { Light | 1 1 8 | 1 0 | ⅕ more than |
| 18 —— | 1 6 0 | 2 3 | that of paper.|
| { Heavy | 1 3 0 | 1 6 | |
| 12 { Medium | 0 11 0 | 1 2 | |
| { Light | 0 8 0 | 0 10 | |
| 9 —— | 0 10 0 | 1 4 | |
| { Heavy | 0 14 0 | 1 1 | |
| 6 { Medium | —— | —— | |
| { Light | 0 5 0 | 0 9½ | |
| 3 —— | 0 6 0 | 0 8 | |
| 13 Inch Mortar | 1 2 8 | 1 6 | |
| 10 ” ” | 0 10 8 | 1 1½ | |
| 8 ” ” | 0 7 0 | 1 0 | |
| 5½ ” ” | 0 4 0 | 0 9 | |
| 4⅖ ” ” | 0 3 0 | 0 7 | |
| 8 In. Howitzer| 0 10 8 | 1 1½ | |
| 5½ ” ” | 0 4 8 | 0 9½ | |
| 4⅖ ” ” | 0 4 0 | 0 9½ | |
+-----------------+--------------+----------+---------------+
_Cartridges_ for small arms.
=(A)= = Powder contained in each Cartridge.
=(B)= = Nᵒ. of each tied in one Bundle.
+-----------+-----+-----+--------------+-------------------+-------+
| | | |Nᵒ. contained | Weight of one |1 Sheet|
| Nature | | |in one Barrel.| Barrel filled | of |
| |=(A)=|=(B)=+------+-------+-----------+-------+ Paper |
| | | |Whole.| Half. | Whole. | Half. | makes |
+-----------+-----+-----+------+-------+-----------+-------+-------+
| | drms| Nᵒ.| Nᵒ. | Nᵒ. |Ct. qr. lb.|qr. lb.| Nᵒ. |
| | | | | | | | |
|Wall pieces| 10 | 6 | 1400 | 500 | 2 2 19 | 3 24 | 6 |
|Musquet | 6 | 10 | 2100 | 1000 | 1 3 10 | 3 24 | 12 |
|Carbine | 4 | 10 | 2853 | 1500 | 1 3 7 | 3 26 | 16 |
|Do. pistol | 3 | 10 | 4400 | 1500 | 1 3 17 | 3 21 | 24 |
|Com. pistol| 3 | 10 | | 2000 | | 3 11 | 24 |
|7 Bar. guns| 1½ | 14 | | 1000 | | | |
| | | | |in kegs| | | |
+-----------+-----+-----+------+-------+-----------+-------+-------+
Musquet _Cartridges_, by different powers in Europe.
+----------+---------------------------+
| | Weight of |
| +-------------+-------------+
| | Powder | Cartridges, |
| | | complete |
+----------+-------------+-------------+
| | oz. dr. gr. | oz. dr. gr. |
|English. | 0 6 0 | 1 9 11 |
|Hessian. | 0 7 10 | 1 7 2 |
|Austrian. | 0 6 13 | 1 6 4 |
|Dutch. | 0 10 10½ | 1 12 4 |
|French. | 0 7 4½ | 1 6 0 |
+----------+-------------+-------------+
_CASE SHOT._ See _Shot_.
_CHAMBERS._—In 1787 and 1789 experiments were made at Woolwich with an
8 inch mortar, with four shifting chambers, to ascertain which form
gives the longest range.
The chambers were all of the same capacity, viz. 63.7 cubic inches, and
contained two pounds of powder. Their forms were:
1st. Common conical chamber with the circular bottom.
2d. The same reversed.
3d. The cylindric chamber with circular bottom.
4th. The spheric chamber.
The ranges were the medium of 6 rounds; from them it appears, that when
the spheric chamber is filled with powder, it has the advantage in
point of range; but when smaller charges are used, its ranges are found
to be shorter than those of other forms. The conical (No. 1.) chamber
of the present establishment gives the longest range under other
circumstances.
_CHARGES._
_Charges for Field Guns._
lbs.
12 Prs. Medium and Heavy for Round Shot 4
” ” ” ” ” ” Case ” 3½
12 Prs. Light ” Round ” 3
” ” ” ” Case ” 3
6 Prs. Desaguliers ” Round ” 2¼
” ” ” ” Case ” 2
6 Prs. Medium ” Round ” 2
” ” ” ” Case ”
6 Prs. Light ” Round ” 1½
” ” ” ” Case ” 1¼
3 Prs. Heavy ” Round ” 1
” ” ” ” Case ”
3 Prs. Light ” Round ” 12 oz.
The charge for battering guns is ⅓ the weight of the round shot, for
round shot, and ¼ of it for case shot.
The charge for carronades is usually ¹/₁₂ the weight of the shot. The
highest is ⅛, and the lowest ¹/₁₆.
By the experiments made at Woolwich in March 1801, it is recommended,
that when cylinder powder is used on service, the charges of field
ordnance with round shot, shall be reduced to the usual quantities
for case shot. The same experiments recommend, that the thickness or
length of the wood bottom be varied, in order to change the position of
the shot, and thereby save the bore; and that the paper cap which is
usually thrown away on service, shall be put over the shot before it is
introduced into the piece.
For charges for small arms see the word Cartridges.
_Charges of French Guns in French Weights._
lbs.
24 Prs. 8 } Siege
16 Prs. 5½ }
12 Prs. 4 }
8 Prs. 2½ } Field { ¼ less for
4 Prs. 1½ } { Case Shot.
_CHEVAUX DE FRIZE._—The _body_ or _beam_ of a chevaux de frize is
generally made 9 feet long, and 6 inches square, and weighs 41 lbs. The
_spears_ are 33 in number, weighing 2 lb. each, are 5 feet long, and 1¼
inches square. They are placed 9½ inches asunder.
_COMPOSITION._—For the composition of fuzes, portfires, tubes,
carcasses, see those words.
_Composition for Kitt. For Fire Balls_, 1794.
lbs. lbs. oz.
Rosin 9 Rosin 5 8
Pitch 6 Sulphur 3 0
Beeswax 6 Allum powder 1 8
Tallow 1 Starch, ” 0 8
Saltpetre 4 6
Mealed powder 8 0
Linseed oil ¼ pint.
Oil of spike 1 pint.
_Bengal Lights._
_First_ Composition.
lbs. oz.
Saltpetre 7 0
Sulphur 1 12
Red orpiment 0 8
_Second_ Composition.
lbs. oz.
Saltpetre 2 4
Sulphur 0 8
Antimony 0 4
Orpiment 0 1½
_Light Balls._
Nitre 40 parts
Sulphur 15
Antimony 3
Pitch 3
This composition to be carefully fused, and cast into the shape of
balls, which when cold will be sufficiently hard to be fired from a
small mortar.
Composition for _Suffocating Pots_.
Sulphur 6 parts
Nitre 5
This composition when intimately mixed, to be rammed into wooden boxes,
and primed in the usual way.
This composition will answer for fumigation.
_Chinese_ or _White Light_.
Nitre from 50 to 60 parts
Sulphur 16 to 20
Antimony 5
Orpiment 8 to 10
For _Smoke Balls_.
lbs.
Corned powder 10
Saltpetre 2
Pitch 4
Seacoal 3
Tallow 1
For _Fire Hoops, Fire Arrows_, and _Fire Lances_.
lbs. oz.
Mealed powder 1 0
Saltpetre 3 0
Flour of sulphur 0 8
Linseed oil ½ pint.
_Composition_ to fill cases for
_setting fire to Fascine Batteries_.
lbs. oz.
Mealed powder 1 4
Saltpetre 6 0
Sulphur 1 8
All dry compositions must be well mixed; first by the hands, and then
passed several times through fine hair sieves, that the ingredients may
be thoroughly incorporated. In mixing compositions which require fire,
the greatest precautions are necessary; particularly in those where
gunpowder enters. The dry parts of the composition may in general be
mixed together first, and put by degrees into the cauldron, while the
other ingredients are fluid, being well stirred all the time of putting
in. When the dry ingredients are inflammable, the cauldron must not
only be taken off the fire, but the bottom must be dipt in water, to
prevent the possibility of accidents while mixing them.