ed through the loop at
the rear of mortar-carriage for that purpose; then retires to the rear
of mortar to the full length of the lanyard, and gives the word.

Officer in charge takes station to watch the effect of the bomb, which
shall be recorded in a suitably ruled note-book.

VIII. "READY--FIRE!"

454. At the word "Fire!" the Captain pulls the lanyard with a quick
draw: there should be a pause of about two seconds between the words
"Ready" and "Fire," in order to allow every one time to retire to the
rear.[45]

IX. "MORTAR--FRONT!"

455. Nos. 1 and 5, on the left side, Nos. 2 and 6, on the right side,
step on the circle; take carriage eccentric levers and throw
eccentrics into gear; withdraw the lever from the sockets, and insert
them into holes in the wheel, and heave the mortar-carriage up against
the front hurter; throw eccentric out of gear; place levers on the
circle close to Brackets, butts forward, and retire to their stations.

X. "SECURE!"

(Diagram 1.)

456. Train fore and aft, face of mortar forward, throw circle out of
gear; 1st Captain stops vent; 2d Captain unscrews spirit-level. Nos. 3
and 4 put in tompion, put on mortar-cover, put scrapers, spoons,
sleeves, and empty cartridge-bags into basket. Nos. 5 and 6 unhook
shell-whip and coil it up on the lower step of carriage; put small
shell-hooks into basket; put grommet between brackets of carriage;
coil up breeching-tackle, and put it on the lower step of carriage;
secure the mast-head span to the rigging; unship front circle
eccentric. Nos. 7 and 9 coil left train-tackle on the circle, left
side of carriage, unship left circle eccentric bar. Nos. 8 and 10 coil
right train-tackle on the circle, right side of carriage, unship right
circle eccentric bar. Nos. 11 and 12 coil shell-tackle on the circle
in rear of carriage; unship rear circle eccentric bar. Eccentric bars
to be placed on the circle in the following manner: left and front
bars, on left side of brackets; right and rear bars on the right side
of brackets. Nos. 7 and 8 put shell-tongs on circle to the rear of
carriage. 1st Captain puts his lanyard and priming-wire into the
basket, which, together with the spirit-level, is carried to the
Gunner by 2d Captain; the crew then resume their stations as at
"SILENCE."

MAGAZINE AND SHELL-ROOM.

457. Vessels specially constructed for mortar purposes have
regularly-built shell-rooms, while others, fitted for temporary
service, have