re the efforts of two men at each, as the
weight of the gun has most bearing there; each of the other levers is
readily worked by one man.

[11] Principally to moisten the Sponge, which ought never to be omitted,
as there is nothing so effectual in extinguishing any fragments that might
remain burning in the Bore, and cause accidental explosion in loading,
particularly in blank firing. It is a mistake to suppose that this
practice increases the foulness of the Bore; on the contrary, it prevents
it from hardening and accumulating, as long experience has shown.
Sometimes it is convenient for the Spongers to dip the Sponge alongside,
and they soon acquire the habit. Superfluous moisture is easily gotten rid
of by twirling the Sponge at the handle.

[12] Were it practicable to hook a tackle so that it would move the gun,
even from amidships to the port, without being shifted, or were it prudent
to leave the gun free while shifting the tackle, there would be no need of
a second tackle. But it is not possible, in pivoting, to exert direct
action for more than the eighth of a circle by one position of a tackle,
and it is absolutely dangerous at sea to leave the Slide unconfined for an
instant. When, therefore, the Outer-Tackle is a-block, the second tackle
must be hooked and set taut.

[13, 14, & 15] These orders are to be executed in quick succession, so as
to be nearly simultaneous; that is, the compression is first relieved by
backing its lever, upon which the Front-Levermen instantly bring the
carriage on its trucks, and the gun is run back by the In-Tackles, the
Out-Tackles being eased gradually, so as to check any violent movement;
for the trucks, being fitted with friction rollers, allow the heavy piece
to move suddenly and rapidly.

[16] The pivoting of so heavy a Gun is the most complicated of all the
operations with it, and demands special drill. When done to windward, the
hearty effort of the whole Gun's crew is required, particularly if there
be much crown to the deck and no deck circles; to leeward there is no
difficulty, and the time at sea to pivot from side to side may vary from
four to seven minutes. The advantage of the Pivot-Boss will now appear, as
it secures the coincidence of the hole in Slide with that of the Socket,
and permits the Bolt to be removed out or in easily. Hitherto the
difficulty of doing so without a Boss has caused delay, and contributed
more than any thing else to the objections entert