ecks
requiring lighter charges, the lower half of the box shall be painted
white.

For gun-decks in similar cases the lower half shall be painted red.

FIRE-TUBS.

243. Fire-tubs should be made of oak, of the patterns furnished by the
Bureau, the hoops being of iron. The top is to be provided with a
stout hoop of wood, to ship and unship, with a grating across it of
stout copper wire, the meshes of which must be small enough to prevent
the passing-boxes from falling into the water when struck over the
tub.

FIRE-BUCKETS.

244. Fire-buckets should be made of light well-tanned sole leather,
according to pattern.

A few Rubber buckets have been issued for trial and report.

THE GROMMET MUZZLE-LASHING FOR HOUSING GUNS.

245. Consists of a grommet made of rope double the size of the
gun-tackle falls, with two cringles worked into it for the frapping
lashing, which will be of stuff half the size of the tackle-falls.

The grommet will be made large enough just to slip over the swell of
the muzzle when the bight is over the housing hook-bolt, and the gun
is in position for housing. It will be wormed throughout, and
parcelled in the wake of the housing-bolt and frapping lashing, and
where there is no swell, in the wake of the muzzle-ring.

Where the housing-bolt is an eye-bolt, the grommet is secured to it by
means of a toggle which has a lanyard.

FUZE-WRENCHES.

246. For the Navy time-fuze these are made of steel, with a round
shank, four inches long, four-tenths of an inch diameter. Prongs
round, one and a half inch long, three-tenths of an inch diameter.
Cross-handle of wood, with small forked screw-driver in one end for
water-cap. The prongs of the wrench are flattened at the ends, and are
nine-tenths of an inch apart.

A three-armed wrench is also required for the Parrott, Schenkl, and
Hotchkiss fuzes, all of which differ.

Two to be allowed to each shell-room.

RIGGING STOPPERS.

247. Standing rigging, when stranded or shot away, is most readily and
effectually secured for the moment by using stoppers composed of two
small dead-eyes, fitted with double selvagee tails and lanyards, of
sizes suitable to the rigging, whether lower or topmast. These are to
be fitted on board ship, and set up by means of pendant-tackles or
jiggers, as the case may require.

HARNESS-CASKS FOR BOATS.

248. For expeditions, the launches and first cutters of all vessels
are each to be provided with a week's su