except
that Nos. 3 and 4 exchange duties.

429. The crew of the XV-in. gun consists ordinarily of 14 men, but the
gun may be readily worked by 8 men; indeed, some officers prefer the
smaller number as being equally efficient, giving more room in the
turret, and affording the very great advantage of relief crews during
a protracted engagement. The same remarks apply to the XI-in. gun.

WORKING XV-IN. BY HALF-CREW.

"SERVE VENT AND SPONGE!"

430. No. 1 stops vent. 3 passes to left of muzzle. 5 passes
sponge-head and sections as required to 3, and assists in sponging.

"LOAD!"

431. No. 13 receives passing-box at scuttle and holds it to 5. 5
receives cartridge from 13, enters it in muzzle, passes rammer-head
and sections, and, assisted by 3, rams home. Gun Captain serves the
vent, 3 and 5 falling back.

Nos. 9, 11, 13, and 15 whip up shell and attend it to muzzle.

Nos. 5 and 3 steady shell and enter it in muzzle.

No. 5 removes patch, passes it to 7, who hands it to 1.

Nos. 5 and 3 ram home by sections as before.

"ELEVATE!"

432. Nos. 3 and 5 raise muzzle by section of rammer.

No. 1 tends elevating screw.

"PRIME!"

433. No. 1 serves vent and primes with powder.

"RUN OUT!"

434. Nos. 7, 11, and 15 man crank.

No. 9 eases compressor.

Nos. 3, 5, and 13 open port.

_When out,_

No. 1, Gun Captain, inserts percussion-primer.

No. 11 unships crank.

No. 9 heaves compressor hand taut.

No. 15 ships lever and heaves well taut.

The gun is trained as before.

"FIRE!"

435. Nos. 3 and 5 close port.

Nos. 7, 11, and 15 man crank, and 9 eases compressor. The above is
given for the 1st part of gun's crew; for 2d part substitute next high
numbers in each station.

SHELL AND POWDER DIVISION.

436. To the Shell and Powder Division is assigned the most laborious
and difficult of all the duties--that of keeping up a supply of
projectiles.

437. It is therefore necessary to have it strongly manned, and a
system of frequent reliefs for all the important stations,
particularly in the magazine and shell-locker.

438. There are required three gangs of four each for the passage of
projectiles: one to whip them out of the hold, or shell-room; a second
to pass them to the door of the turret-chamber; and a third to pass
them to the scuttle and adjust them in the bearer. When working with
half-crews, the third gang assists at the shell-whip, the fall being
dropped down to them.