614 EEPOETS ON MOUNTING OP HEAVY OEDNANCE AT MALTA. 
Turned the gun to the right by cutting the rollers; halted opposite 
emplacement; dismounted the gun off the sleigh by raising it by jacks on to 
skidding; parbuckled it on to emplacement, and left it about 3 yds. in rear 
of the racers, on skidding. 
The Royal Engineers not having yet leaded down the racers, work had to 
stopped for the present. 
Total distance moved, 53yds. Eight hours' work; two reliefs of 53 and 
52 men respectively. 
Throughout the preceding operations I was assisted by Serjeant Wilde 
and Serjeant Jones, 10th Bde. R.A., late Serjeant Instructors in Gunnery to 
the late 12th Bde. R.A. I found their experience very useful in many 
cases, both having gone through the long course at Shoeburyness; and their 
ability and energy was all that could be desired. 
Monday , Feb. 18th. — The racers being now leaded down by the Royal 
Engineers, work was resumed by us this morning. The gun was parbuckled 
on skids alongside the platform, and then raised about a foot. Worked 
from 9 a.m. till 3.15 p.m. 
Wednesday , Feb. 20th. —Continued raising the gun. When high enough, 
parbuckled it on to platform on skids. Worked from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. 
Friday , Feb. 22nd. —Traversed the platform round 90°. Raised gun high 
enough for the carriage to go under it. Brought up carriage on to rear of 
platform. Slewed trunnions by gyn, and placed the latter for supporting 
breech of gun. Worked from 9 a.m. till about 2 p.m. 
Saturday , Feb. 23rd. —Took the weight of the breech by the gyn; 
removed skidding from under breech. Moved carriage forward along plat¬ 
form under gun, the muzzle of which was supported by skidding on platform 
about 2 ft. in front of trunnions. Lowered gun into trunnion-holes. 
In the operation of mounting the gun I was assisted by Serjt.-Major 
Brookman, No. 18 Batt., 10th Bde., R.A., and found him of great use and 
very efficient. 
No man was injured during the whole of the work of moving the gun and 
mounting it. 
The men worked very willingly and cheerfully all through, though the 
labour was at times very severe. 
Appended are lists of stores and of those expended. Besides those 
shown as expended, there are other stores—such as rollers, blocks, &c. 
—injured, but not considered irreparable. 
In addition to the inconvenience caused by the shortness of winch-handles 
and the fewness and sponginess of rollers, we wanted tarpaulins to cover 
tackles with at night, but could noi obtain them. 
I have the honor to be, 
Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
I). RADCLIFFE, Lieut. R.A., 
In Charge of Operations. 
