e projectiles, and it
is therefore directed that the Commander, Executive Officer, and
Gunner shall make themselves thoroughly acquainted with their
construction, and the percussion and time fuzes issued with them,
before sailing. The Ordnance Officer will furnish them with any
information on these subjects in his possession.

391. The projectiles consist of shells, shrapnel, and solid shot. All
rifled projectiles used in the Navy are of the expanding class; that
is, forced into the grooves by the action of the charge of powder, and
require no other precautions in loading than common spherical shells.

392. It is, however, essential--

1st. That the base of every rifle-projectile, especially the Parrott,
shall be thickly greased before entering it into the gun.[42] For this
purpose common pork slush, prepared by several washings in hot fresh
water, may be used.

2d. That the bores of all guns shall be frequently washed, the
grooves of rifled guns cleaned of all residuum and dirt, and a moist
sponge invariably used. After firing, the bore should be oiled with a
sponge.

The attention of Commanding Officers is especially called to this
requirement; and the Bureau desires that the action of Parrott's and
other rifle-projectiles fired under the above conditions, may be
carefully observed and reported; for it is believed that nearly all
the failures of projectiles in actual service result from the grooves
being filled, after a few rounds, with a hardened residuum of powder.

393. It is also necessary that the shell shall be close home on the
powder, otherwise the necessary expansion will not take place, and the
shell will tumble immediately after leaving the gun, utterly
destroying its range and accuracy.

394. In order to be certain that the projectile is properly home, the
rammer-handle must be marked to indicate it.

395. It is very important that dirt, sand, or other foreign substances
should not be carried into the gun on the sponge or the projectile, or
by the wind in batteries on shore.

In using guns on shore, a canvas muzzle-bag, a soft wad, or a light
stopper of wood, suggest themselves as means of security during the
interval between loading and firing the gun. The cover or stopper
might be removed, or left to be blown away at each discharge.

The longer the interval above alluded to, and the higher the elevation
at which the gun is kept, the more important and necessary are these
precautions.

396.