This mixture, when well stirred, and incorporated, will be fit for use, but, as by long keeping in this state it becomes hard, no more should be mixed than is required for present use.

BLACK LEAD LACQUER, FOR THE BORE, OR CYLINDER.

This will

The oil to be boiled, and the paint to be well ground. keep. Great care should be taken in boiling the oil, as any damp falling in would cause an explosion.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LACQUERING SHOT, AND SHELLS.

All Shot, and Shells (including Shrapnel) are first to be cleaned exteriorly by the machine, or otherwise, and then such as are found sufficiently correct, and up to their proper gauge, are to be twice lacquered with the following composition, leaving sufficient time between for the coats to become perfectly dry, and hard. The warmest weather is the proper time for this operation. Ten labourers can examine, clean, and lacquer with two coats one thousand shot in a day, provided the weather be favourable.

COMPOSITION.

Grant's black 40lb. Red lead 5lb. Raw linseed oil 5 gallons. The red lead is to be ground into a part of the oil, in order that the whole of the ingredients may be thoroughly incorporated.

TO RENDER ORDNANCE UNSERVICEABLE BY SPIKING, ETC. The most effectual method of rendering Guns unserviceable, or of no further use, is by removing one or both of the trunnions, which may be done by striking it near its end with a sledge hammer; or by firing a shot against it from a carronade, or howitzer, the muzzle of the piece being placed near the trunnion.

Brass Ordnance may also be rendered unserviceable by firing whole or broken shot into the bore from another piece; or by firing a shot against the chase, which generally bulges the metal within the bore.*

* When a shot is jammed in a gun, and cannot be rammed home to the cartridge, destroy the charge by pouring water down the vent and muzzle, until the ingredients are dissolved, and cleared out of the bore; then introduce a small quantity of powder through the vent, and blow out the shot.

For spiking Ordnance, two kinds of spikes are used:—

1st. The Common spike, which is 4 inches long, 27 inches in diameter at the head, and about 1 at the point. It is driven as far as it will go into the vent, and afterwards broken off close to the gun. 2nd. The Spring, or temporary spike, which is 17 in diameter, and varies in length from 2.8 to 13.55 inches, according to the nature of the piece. It has a flat head to prevent its falling through the vent into the bore, and also a spring about two inches in length, which extends from the point towards the head. In passing through the vent, this is compressed, but as soon as it is clear of the metal, it expands and cannot be withdrawn, unless it is again compressed sufficiently to allow its being again drawn into the vent, which may be done by pressing a rammer head against it, provided the spring is towards the muzzle, which may be known by a small notch cut in the head of the spike to point out its direction.

A long spike with a soft point may be driven into the vent, and the end projecting into the bore clenched; which, as well as either a common nail or even a wooden peg, would answer as a temporary expedient if a proper spike were not at hand. Should a momentary abandonment of the guns become unavoidable, by taking away the cap-squares, elevating screws, quoins, linch-pins, or side-arms, the enemy will be prevented using them for some time.

UNSPIKING ORDNANCE.

If a gun has been spiked with a Common steel spike, load with a charge of powder equal to half the shot's weight: lay a leader of quick match along the bore, and double shot the gun, introducing the shot, however, very carefully.

By affixing a piece of slow match to the end of the quick match which reaches to the muzzle, the gun may be easily and safely fired. Should the spike not be removed, the operation may be repeated.

When Brass guns have been spiked, it would be advisable, a day or two before making the above experiment, to scratch round the spike with a graver, and pour a few drops of Sulphuric, or Nitric acid into the circle, which, being repeated, will find its way down between the spike, and the metal, particularly if the former is not perfectly round. When the gun cannot be unspiked by the above-mentioned operations, make a large fire round the breech to soften the spike, and after the gun has been gradually cooled, the spike may generally be removed by using the drill,

When a gun cannot be unspiked, the only means of rendering it serviceable is to drill another vent, about half an inch from the original

one.

To drill a new Vent will require about an hour per inch. Care must be taken that a very small drill is first used, and afterwards one rather less than the diameter of the vent, otherwise the vent will run the risk of being too much enlarged.

Length, Weight, Calibre, Charge, &c., of Ordnance.

CARRIAGES.

Garrison carriages are made of oak and other hard wood. Trucks iron; but in those situations which are not exposed to enfilade, the carriages are cast iron.

Ship carriages.-The Brackets and Transoms are elm, Axletrees oak, Trucks elm.

Field gun carriages.—All Travelling carriages are now made entirely of oak. The Carriages, for the heavy iron 12 and 9-pounders with bracket-trail, and also for all heavy battering ordnance, are made of oak. Limbers have the axletree beds of elm; Futchells, Splinter, or Sweeping-bar, of ash; Footboards, fir or elm. Limber-boxes have the sides elm, and the rest fir. Ring-tires are used for light 3-pounders and hand-cart wheels. Shafts are always made of ash. Wheels have the Nave of elm, Spokes (12) of oak, Felloes (6) of ash.

Sleighs are used for the conveyance of artillery, during the winter, in Canada.* The sleigh consists of a platform six feet ten inches long, and three feet ten inches wide, placed on runners sixteen inches high; upon this rest two strong transoms, to which the brackets supporting the gun are secured. A box, distinct from the ammunition boxes, is placed on each side of the gun, together capable of containing about thirty rounds of ammunition, and which serve as seats for Nos. 1 and 6. These boxes usually contain the shot, and small stores carried in the axletree boxes, as well as long reins for driving, when in single draught. The extreme breadth of the runners is three feet.

Packing the Intrenching tools, &c.

Marching order.-In marching order, the following stores and intrenching tools are on the gun sleighs; two fitting ropes, one spare swingletree; swords of Nos. 1 and 6 on front platform under breast of gun, claw hammer, wrench, and pincers; in sockets, two portfire sticks on right rear of platform.

On No. 1 ammunition sleigh; two fitting ropes, prolonge, two spare swingletrees, and sword of No. 3, on front part of platform; carbines of No. 1 and 6, on front box; spare sponge, and worm on platform right of boxes; spare handspike on left side; 4 spare traces between front and rear boxes; swords of Nos. 4 and 5 on platform in rear of boxes, covered by knapsacks of Nos. 1, 6, 5, and 4. The

*The recoil of guns on sleighs varies from four to five feet when on rough ground or in deep snow; to twenty or thirty yards when on glare ice. In the latter case it is of course necessary to send the ammunition sleighs further to the rear; but the recoil may be considerably lessened by placing a small chain round each of the runners.

Ice of eight inches thick will bear with safety a weight of 1115 lb. (or nearly half a ton) on the square foot.