; the lifting and
entering it into the muzzle was one of the objections of those who were
opposed to the use of heavy calibres. There was not one of the crew of the
_Plymouths_ XI-in. gun who was not found able, on trial, to take up the
Shell and unassisted to put it in the Bore, when the ship was still. At
sea a very simple implement was used--an iron segment with a bent handle
on opposite sides. The Shellmen, 7, 8, turned the shell out of the box
into this ladle, placed on the deck near No. 3, the Loader, who, when
ready, took the left handle, and No. 5 (the 2d Loader) the right. These
two lifted the Shell towards the muzzle, and No. 4 (Sponger), standing
on the Slide, received the right hand from No. 5 as soon as within reach.
No. 3, stepping on the Slide, and No. 4 continued to raise the Shell to
the muzzle, which was not difficult, because of the Bore being
conveniently high above the Slide on which they were standing; the Sabot
projecting beyond the Ladle was entered into the muzzle, and the Shell
pushed in, No. 5 taking the ladle back and laying it on the deck.

[28] As this is very firmly fixed in the recess of the metal stock, it is
to be removed by pulling directly on the tail, which, if twisted, will be
likely to break, and thus cause a loss of time. The patch is passed to the
Gun Captain, who puts it in his belt-box, and is afterwards handed to the
Quarter deck by the Lieut. of Division, in order to verify the number of
shells fired. When the Fuze has been uncovered, care must be taken not to
let it be touched by the moisture of the hand, or by the sea-water.

[29] As the blow might dislodge the priming of the Fuze and prevent its
ignition. It is well to dispense with any wad, even a grommet, if
possible.

[30] A good exemplification of the principle assumed for this exercise,
that when any one of the men has executed an order, he shall not remain in
position until the order is given which requires him elsewhere; for he may
not have any part in the next order, or even in that second next, as
occurs after pivoting, when only a few numbers participate in the
following orders: Sponge--Load, the remainder only doing so at the third
following, viz.: Run Out.

[31] No operation with this gun requires more care. There is a weight of
20,000 lbs. moving on friction Rollers along a metal plate, down an
inclined plane--if once permitted to get loose and to be propelled by the
motion of the ship, the momentum is imme