ARMING ELEVATED BATTERIES. 
117 
An 18-ton gun was first brought up to test all the arrangements. 
A 38-ton gun was then brought on a barge to the pier head, landed 
by parbuckling, then slewed by means of a 50-ton jack placed under 
the C.G., the muzzle being hauled round steadily by a winch and 
tackle from the shore. When in position, it was raised by jacks 
high enough for the carriage to be run under it, lowered and firmly 
lashed to the carriage by cascable and trunnions. The chain tackles 
were then attached, and the winches set in motion. The quick pur¬ 
chase was used along the pier and up the slight inclines, but the slow 
purchase had to be used up all the steep ones. The winches were 
worked by reliefs, about ten minutes at a time. When the chains 
require shifting on the drums of the 5-ton winches, they are “ stop¬ 
pered” by gun metal blocks made to fit on the chains, the outside 
being conical; these blocks slide into conical rings or stoppers, which 
are firmly secured. The chains can then be shifted without danger. 
The number of men employed in bringing up the 38-ton gun was 
as follows :—- 
Attending to blocks, &c., on carriage . 2 men. 
To work 5-ton winches, two reliefs of 12 for each winch 48 „ 
To work rear winches, 6 men for each winch.. . 12 „ 
To hold on to running end of chains in rear of 2-ton 
winches, 4 each chain .... 8 „ 
Total ... 70 men. 
By working in short reliefs the winches were kept going much 
quicker. Extra men had to be put on when working up the steepest 
inclines. 
The average rate of a 38-ton gun was 11 yards an hour, taking into 
consideration all stoppages for “ stoppering and shifting falls,” shift¬ 
ing chains to upper holdfasts, winches, &c. With an 18-ton gun, 
about 16 yards an hour was obtained, as the quick motion could be 
more frequently used. A good deal of time was occupied in shifting 
the chains to the top, as they had to be carried up by hand. 
When brought to the top, the gun was taken off the carriage by 
jacks and parbuckled into the battery, and the carriage lowered for 
another gun. 
The total time occupied in hauling the guns from end of pier to 
top of cliff were— 
18-ton gun.. 11 hours. 
38 ton gun, ... 16 hours. 
