612 REPORTS ON MOUNTING- OF HEAVY ORDNANCE AT MALTA. 
Saturday , Jan, 19th, —The holdfast for the standing end of the tackle was 
shifted to a hole cut in the rock al the top of the steep and narrow piece of 
road past the gasworks. This hole had been cut by the R.E. for moving 
the two previous guns. 
A snatch block was made fast to the same hole as a leading block, and 
took the running end of the fall to the winch, which was made fast to an 
anchor further up the road, round the corner, about 90°. 
The slope varied from 7° to 10°. 
The gun was left about 1 pan. on a slope of 10°, being further secured by 
additional gun-tackles made fast to the hole in the rock above-mentioned, 
and by scotches in rear of the rollers. 
The guard came on daily at the time work was suspended, and moved 
their tent forward to the gun. They were taken off every morning when the 
working party arrived. 
Cart and horse traffic along the road was suspended by the civil power. 
A heavy gyn-tackle was used going up this slope, treble block at the gun; 
and the work was necessarily slow, as I did not feel sure that the scotches 
would prevent the gun rolling back if anything broke, and had to take great 
care to keep the men out of dangerous positions. This part of the road is 
very narrow, and full of deep ruts caused by recent rains, which had to be 
filled up with earth for the planks to lie evenly. 
Distance advanced, 31yds. 52 men employed for four hours. 
Monday , Jan. 21st. —The gun was advanced to the corner, and turned 
90° to the left, by cutting the rollers. This had to be done with great pre¬ 
cision, the road being very narrow and turn so sharp. Holdfasts were 
shifted and the gun moved to the front. 
Slopes from 10° to 7°. Distance advanced, 73 yds. 62 men for four 
hours in morning, and 52 for four hours in afternoon. 
Holdfasts were made on this and succeeding days by digging holes in 
sound parts of the road, and placing anchors in them; the standing end of 
the fall being made fast to one anchor, and the running end going to the 
winch, which was made fast to the other anchor. 
We found after this day that planks one deep under the rollers were 
sufficient, instead of two deep as before, the road being better. This change 
lessened the labour of bringing up planks from rear to front of gun. 
A two-to-one tackle was found sufficient after this. 
Tuesday , Jan. 22nd. —Advanced gun 172 yds. up slope, beginning at 7° 
and then continuing at 3°. Weather very fine. 
Worked for eight hours; two reliefs of 50 and 54 men respectively. 
Wednesday, Jan . 23rd.— Advanced gun up slope of from 3° to 4°, 
200 yds. 
Two reliefs, 63 and 52 men respectively. Eight hours 5 work. 
Thursday , Jan. 24th. —“Advanced gun 184 yds. up slope of from 5° to 7°. 
The fall broke without any warning, but the rollers were well scotched up in rear. 
Two reliefs of 52 and 55 men. Worked eight hours. 
Friday , Jan. 25th. —Advanced gun 171yds. altogether. Turned the 
corner to the left by the Capuchin convent (about a right angle) by cutting 
rollers. Incline from 2° to 4° up hill. 
Eight hours 5 work. Two reliefs of 53 men each. 
