TABLE OF RANGES, Appendix B.

333. The best effect of a percussion-fuze is obtained by firing into a
mass of timber. They frequently fail if fired into a bank of soft
earth, sand, or other material which does not offer a sufficiently
sudden resistance; also, if fired at high angles of elevation, owing
to the fact that the rifle-shells do not generally strike point
foremost.

334. Time-fuzes are also very unreliable in rifle-guns; expanding
projectiles cut off the flame from the fuze.

With the Parrott shell, however, the Navy time-fuze is the most
certain of ignition and regular in its time of burning. The
safety-plug should be removed when the Navy time-fuse is used in
rifled cannon, as recent experiments show that it is a probable cause
of premature explosions of shells.

In testing the Navy time-fuse by the watch, or michronometer, the
safety-plug must be removed: otherwise the fuze will burn longer than
the time for which it is marked.

BOARDERS.

335. It is not supposed that any directions can be framed which will
entirely provide for all the various circumstances which may require
attention when about to board an enemy, or to repel a similar assault
made by an enemy upon our vessels.

The following general suggestions are, however, presented for the
consideration of Captains, in order that some degree of uniformity may
be preserved when other more important considerations do not prevent
it.

336. Upon the signal for Boarders, the divisions called should form on
the gangway of the side which is not engaged, properly armed, and
remain there until ordered elsewhere, provided there be time to make
this disposition of them. In all movements from one part of the ship
to another, cutlasses should be sheathed and pistols in the frogs. The
men of each division should be united as much as possible under their
own officer. Bayonets not fixed until ordered.

"PREPARE TO BOARD!"

(FROM ANY SPECIFIED PART OF THE SHIP.)

337. The Boarders should repair to the place directed, taking care to
keep themselves down so as not to be seen by the enemy, and form close
to the bulwarks, until the order is given to--

"BOARD THE ENEMY!"

338. The Boarders should then gain the enemy's deck as quickly as
possible, keeping near enough to each other for mutual support, and to
act in concert against the opposing force, using every possible
exertion to clear the enemy's decks by disabling or driving the men
below.

In c