RVE VENT AND SPONGE!"

450. 1st Captain inserts his priming-wire and clears the vent. No. 3
scrapes the chamber and bore, removes scrapings with the spoon. No. 4
takes the empty cartridge-bag and wipes out the mortar, then uses the
sponge to thoroughly cleanse the chamber and bore; as soon as this
operation is performed, the Captain again serves the vent. Should
there be any fire or dirt pushed down, the sponging will be repeated.

[Illustration: TRAIN. [Diagram 2.] D. Van Nostrand Publisher. Julius
Bien, pr.]

[Illustration: RIGHT OR LEFT [Diagram 3.] D. Van Nostrand Publisher.
Julius Bien, pr.]

V. "LOAD!"

451. The Powder-man, No. 13, goes to the scuttle for a cartridge, and
brings it to No. 3 (always passing on the side not engaged), who
empties it carefully into the chamber, keeping the cartridge-bag in
his hand, to be used in wiping the shell before it is lowered into the
bore. No. 4 takes spatulas, levels off the powder, and calls out
"Shell!" which is brought to the front of the mortar by Nos. 7 and 8,
Shell-carriers, and landed in the grommet, which has been put in its
proper place by No. 5. Nos. 5 and 6 hook shell on and whip it up; when
high enough, No. 3 calls out, "High!" wipes it clean with empty
cartridge-bag, and, assisted by No. 4, steadies it over the bore; it
is then lowered carefully upon the charge, keeping the fuze exactly in
the axis of the bore. No. 4 then removes the paper covering and
exposes the priming of the fuze, handing the covering to No. 2, as an
evidence that it has been removed. After an exercise or an action,
these paper coverings will be compared with the account kept by the
Officer having charge of the Powder Division. Nos. 3 and 4 now step
down on deck, ready to assist in training, should any be required.

VI. "ELEVATE!"

452. The 2d Captain, having adjusted the trunnion-sight[44] to a given
angle with the axis of the bore (usually 45 deg.), orders "Raise" or
"Lower;" and at the same time the 1st Captain inserts the elevating
lever through elevating loop, on to ratchet, and raises or lowers
according to direction from 2d Captain, who will give the word "Well!"
when the mortar has its proper elevation.

VII. "PRIME!"

453. 1st Captain inserts his priming-wire to ascertain that the vent
is clear; takes a friction-primer, raises the loop nearly in line with
the spur, hooks it on his lanyard and inserts the primer into the
vent, being careful that the lanyard has been l