The Loader receives the cartridge and puts it in the gun, as
already described; he also receives the shell or shot and wad and
introduces them accordingly.

As soon as the whole charge has been introduced, the Sponger and
Loader together thrust it down smartly with the rammer, as in ordinary
loading. When home, the men run the gun out as quickly as possible;
the Captain of the gun clears the vent, primes in running out, points
and fires in the usual manner, but as rapidly as is consistent with a
good aim, taking care that the muzzle is clear of the port-sill, and
on lower decks that the port is triced up clear of the explosion.

SHIFTING BREECHINGS IN ACTION.

COMMAND.

"SPONGE, LOAD, AND SHIFT BREECHING!"

240. Supposing the gun's crew to be reduced to six men and the
Powder-boy, that being the least number required to perform the
evolution, and the gun to be discharged and run in. The Captain hauls
taut the train-tackle and chokes the luff, and the Loader and Sponger
place the chocking-quoins forward of the front trucks, and proceed to
sponge and load the gun in the usual manner. The 2d Sponger and 2d
Loader haul taut side-tackles and choke luffs, or, if rolling deep,
hitch the falls round the straps of the blocks, and then unshackle the
old breeching and shackle the new, which is to be brought to the gun
by the 2d Captain.

The Captain removes the old breeching from, and places and secures the
bight of the new one in the jaws of the cascabel, after the gun is
sponged. The 2d Captain passes the old breeching amidships, and the
men resume their usual duties at the gun.

When there are more than six men at the gun, the 2d Sponger and 2d
Loader, after securing the side-tackle falls, will assist to load the
gun, and the additional men will assist in unshackling the old and
shackling the new breeching, but one of these will do all the duties
just assigned to the 1st Captain, so as not to interfere with his
ordinary duties in loading.

SHIFTING TRUCKS.

241. The operation of shifting a truck can only be required when the
gun is "run in" after firing. At the order to shift any one of the
trucks that may be designated:

With the MARSILLY CARRIAGE.--Heave up with the roller handspike under
the end of the bracket on the side on which the truck is to be
removed; handspikemen pass inside the breeching and place their
handspikes under the axletree as near the truck as possible, and,
assisted by 5 and 6, lift the